Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Maternal and Child Health Journal 10/2016

20.06.2016

Subjective Social Status and Psychological Distress in Mothers of Young Children

verfasst von: Nicole Michelson, Jenna L. Riis, Sara B. Johnson

Erschienen in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Ausgabe 10/2016

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Introduction Perceptions of social standing have increasingly well-documented relationships with health. Higher subjective social status (SSS) is associated with better psychological well-being among women, and mothers of newborns. The relationship between SSS and psychological distress among mothers of young children, however, is largely unknown. SSS may provide insight into aspects of maternal functioning that are relevant to parenting capacity, as well as insight into future health; in addition, SSS is brief, and may be perceived as less intrusive than other measures of socioeconomic status or mental health. We evaluated the relationship between SSS and psychological distress among mothers of 5-year-old children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods One hundred and sixty-two mothers of 5-year old children, who participated in a study of child self-regulation, completed surveys that assessed sociodemographics, mental health, and perceived social support. The MacArthur Scale of SSS used pictures of ten-rung ladders to assess respondents’ social position in relation to the US (SES ladder) and their community (community ladder). Quantile regression models were used to assess the relationship between maternal psychological distress (perceived social support, depressive symptoms, anxiety) and the ladders (individually and together), adjusting for maternal age, race, education, and number of children. To examine whether the SSS–health relationships differed by race, the models were also stratified by race. Results Community ladder ranking was positively associated with social support (β = 1.34, SE = 0.33, p < .001), and negatively associated with depressive symptoms (β = −1.34, SE = 0.52, p < .05). SES ladder ranking was positively associated with social support (β = 1.17, SE = 0.52, p < .05). Findings in the full sample were driven by more robust relationships between psychological distress and community SSS among Black/African-American mothers. Discussion The findings suggest that perceived social standing in one’s community is associated with maternal psychological well-being. Community SSS may be particularly influential for Black/African-American mothers’ well-being.
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Adler, N., Stewart, J., & Psychosocial Working Group. (2007). Psychosocial notebook. San Francisco: University of California. Adler, N., Stewart, J., & Psychosocial Working Group. (2007). Psychosocial notebook. San Francisco: University of California.
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Adler, N., Epel, E. S., Castellazzo, G., & Ickovics, J. R. (2000). Relationship of subjective and objective social status with psychological and physiological functioning: Preliminary data in healthy white women. Health, 19(6), 586–592. Adler, N., Epel, E. S., Castellazzo, G., & Ickovics, J. R. (2000). Relationship of subjective and objective social status with psychological and physiological functioning: Preliminary data in healthy white women. Health, 19(6), 586–592.
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Adler, N., Singh-Manoux, A., Schwartz, J., Stewart, J., Matthews, K., & Marmot, M. G. (2008). Social status and health: A comparison of British civil servants in Whitehall-II with European- and African-Americans in CARDIA. Social Science and Medicine, 66(5), 1034–1045.CrossRefPubMed Adler, N., Singh-Manoux, A., Schwartz, J., Stewart, J., Matthews, K., & Marmot, M. G. (2008). Social status and health: A comparison of British civil servants in Whitehall-II with European- and African-Americans in CARDIA. Social Science and Medicine, 66(5), 1034–1045.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Allen, A. J., McNeely, J. M., Waldstein, S. R., Evans, M. K., & Zonderman, A. B. (2014). Subjective socioeconomic status predicts Framingham cardiovascular disease risk for whites, not blacks. Ethnicity and Disease, 24(2), 150–154.PubMed Allen, A. J., McNeely, J. M., Waldstein, S. R., Evans, M. K., & Zonderman, A. B. (2014). Subjective socioeconomic status predicts Framingham cardiovascular disease risk for whites, not blacks. Ethnicity and Disease, 24(2), 150–154.PubMed
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Anhalt, K., Telzrow, C. F., & Brown, C. L. (2007). Maternal stress and emotional status during the perinatal period and childhood adjustment. School Psychology Quarterly, 22(1), 74.CrossRef Anhalt, K., Telzrow, C. F., & Brown, C. L. (2007). Maternal stress and emotional status during the perinatal period and childhood adjustment. School Psychology Quarterly, 22(1), 74.CrossRef
6.
Zurück zum Zitat Bassuk, S. S., Berkman, L. F., & Amick, B. C., 3rd. (2002). Socioeconomic status and mortality among the elderly: Findings from four US communities. American Journal of Epidemiology, 155(6), 520–533.CrossRefPubMed Bassuk, S. S., Berkman, L. F., & Amick, B. C., 3rd. (2002). Socioeconomic status and mortality among the elderly: Findings from four US communities. American Journal of Epidemiology, 155(6), 520–533.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Brahm, P., Cortazar, A., Fillol, M. P., Mingo, M. V., Vielma, C., & Aranguiz, M. C. (2015). Maternal sensitivity and mental health: Does an early childhood intervention programme have an impact? Family Practice. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmv071.PubMed Brahm, P., Cortazar, A., Fillol, M. P., Mingo, M. V., Vielma, C., & Aranguiz, M. C. (2015). Maternal sensitivity and mental health: Does an early childhood intervention programme have an impact? Family Practice. doi:10.​1093/​fampra/​cmv071.PubMed
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Broadhead, W. E., Gehlbach, S. H., de Gruy, F. V., & Kaplan, B. H. (1988). The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire: Measurement of social support in family medicine patients. Medical Care, 26(7), 709–723.CrossRefPubMed Broadhead, W. E., Gehlbach, S. H., de Gruy, F. V., & Kaplan, B. H. (1988). The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire: Measurement of social support in family medicine patients. Medical Care, 26(7), 709–723.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Chen, B., Covinsky, K. E., Stijacic Cenzer, I., Adler, N., & Williams, B. A. (2012). Subjective social status and functional decline in older adults. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 27(6), 693–699.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Chen, B., Covinsky, K. E., Stijacic Cenzer, I., Adler, N., & Williams, B. A. (2012). Subjective social status and functional decline in older adults. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 27(6), 693–699.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Cundiff, J. M., Smith, T. W., Uchino, B. N., & Berg, C. A. (2013). Subjective social status: Construct validity and associations with psychosocial vulnerability and self-rated health. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 20(1), 148–158.CrossRefPubMed Cundiff, J. M., Smith, T. W., Uchino, B. N., & Berg, C. A. (2013). Subjective social status: Construct validity and associations with psychosocial vulnerability and self-rated health. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 20(1), 148–158.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Dennis, E. F., Webb, D. A., Lorch, S. A., Mathew, L., Bloch, J. R., & Culhane, J. F. (2012). Subjective social status and maternal health in a low income urban population. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(4), 834–843.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Dennis, E. F., Webb, D. A., Lorch, S. A., Mathew, L., Bloch, J. R., & Culhane, J. F. (2012). Subjective social status and maternal health in a low income urban population. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(4), 834–843.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Diaz, O. V., Guendelman, S., & Kuppermann, M. (2014). Subjective social status and depression symptoms: A prospective study of women with noncancerous pelvic problems. Women’s Health Issues, 24(6), 649–655.CrossRefPubMed Diaz, O. V., Guendelman, S., & Kuppermann, M. (2014). Subjective social status and depression symptoms: A prospective study of women with noncancerous pelvic problems. Women’s Health Issues, 24(6), 649–655.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Zurück zum Zitat DiPietro, J. A., Kivlighan, K. T., Costigan, K. A., Rubin, S. E., Shiffler, D. E., Henderson, J. L., & Pillion, J. P. (2010). Prenatal antecedents of newborn neurological maturation. Child Development, 81(1), 115–130.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral DiPietro, J. A., Kivlighan, K. T., Costigan, K. A., Rubin, S. E., Shiffler, D. E., Henderson, J. L., & Pillion, J. P. (2010). Prenatal antecedents of newborn neurological maturation. Child Development, 81(1), 115–130.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Dolbier, C. L., Rush, T. E., Sahadeo, L. S., Shaffer, M. L., Thorp, J., & Community Child Health Network Investigators. (2013). Relationships of race and socioeconomic status to postpartum depressive symptoms in rural African American and non-Hispanic white women. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 17(7), 1277–1287.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Dolbier, C. L., Rush, T. E., Sahadeo, L. S., Shaffer, M. L., Thorp, J., & Community Child Health Network Investigators. (2013). Relationships of race and socioeconomic status to postpartum depressive symptoms in rural African American and non-Hispanic white women. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 17(7), 1277–1287.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Dow, W. H., Schoeni, R. F., Adler, N. E., & Stewart, J. (2010). Evaluating the evidence base: Policies and interventions to address socioeconomic status gradients in health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1186, 240–251.CrossRefPubMed Dow, W. H., Schoeni, R. F., Adler, N. E., & Stewart, J. (2010). Evaluating the evidence base: Policies and interventions to address socioeconomic status gradients in health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1186, 240–251.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Doyle, O., Harmon, C. P., Heckman, J. J., & Tremblay, R. E. (2009). Investing in early human development: Timing and economic efficiency. Economics and Human Biology, 7(1), 1–6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Doyle, O., Harmon, C. P., Heckman, J. J., & Tremblay, R. E. (2009). Investing in early human development: Timing and economic efficiency. Economics and Human Biology, 7(1), 1–6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
Zurück zum Zitat Franzini, L., & Fernandez-Esquer, M. E. (2006). The association of subjective social status and health in low-income Mexican-origin individuals in Texas. Social Science and Medicine, 63(3), 788–804.CrossRefPubMed Franzini, L., & Fernandez-Esquer, M. E. (2006). The association of subjective social status and health in low-income Mexican-origin individuals in Texas. Social Science and Medicine, 63(3), 788–804.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Friedmann, E., Son, H., Thomas, S. A., Chapa, D. W., Lee, H. J., & Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) Investigators. (2014). Poor social support is associated with increases in depression but not anxiety over 2 years in heart failure outpatients. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 29(1), 20–28.CrossRefPubMed Friedmann, E., Son, H., Thomas, S. A., Chapa, D. W., Lee, H. J., & Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) Investigators. (2014). Poor social support is associated with increases in depression but not anxiety over 2 years in heart failure outpatients. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 29(1), 20–28.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Galobardes, B., Shaw, M., Lawlor, D. A., Lynch, J. W., & Davey Smith, G. (2006). Indicators of socioeconomic position (part 1). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(1), 7–12.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Galobardes, B., Shaw, M., Lawlor, D. A., Lynch, J. W., & Davey Smith, G. (2006). Indicators of socioeconomic position (part 1). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(1), 7–12.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Galobardes, B., Shaw, M., Lawlor, D. A., Lynch, J. W., & Davey Smith, G. (2006). Indicators of socioeconomic position (part 2). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(2), 95–101.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Galobardes, B., Shaw, M., Lawlor, D. A., Lynch, J. W., & Davey Smith, G. (2006). Indicators of socioeconomic position (part 2). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(2), 95–101.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
Zurück zum Zitat Ghaed, S. G., & Gallo, L. C. (2007). Subjective social status, objective socioeconomic status, and cardiovascular risk in women. Health Psychology, 26(6), 668–674.CrossRefPubMed Ghaed, S. G., & Gallo, L. C. (2007). Subjective social status, objective socioeconomic status, and cardiovascular risk in women. Health Psychology, 26(6), 668–674.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Zurück zum Zitat Goodman, E., Adler, N. E., Kawachi, I., Frazier, A. L., Huang, B., & Colditz, G. A. (2001). Adolescents’ perceptions of social status: Development and evaluation of a new indicator. Pediatrics, 108(2), E31.CrossRefPubMed Goodman, E., Adler, N. E., Kawachi, I., Frazier, A. L., Huang, B., & Colditz, G. A. (2001). Adolescents’ perceptions of social status: Development and evaluation of a new indicator. Pediatrics, 108(2), E31.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Goodman, E., Huang, B., Schafer-Kalkhoff, T., & Adler, N. E. (2007). Perceived socioeconomic status: A new type of identity that influences adolescents’ self-rated health. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(5), 479–487.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Goodman, E., Huang, B., Schafer-Kalkhoff, T., & Adler, N. E. (2007). Perceived socioeconomic status: A new type of identity that influences adolescents’ self-rated health. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(5), 479–487.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Goodman, S. H., Rouse, M. H., Connell, A. M., Broth, M. R., Hall, C. M., & Heyward, D. (2011). Maternal depression and child psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14(1), 1–27.CrossRefPubMed Goodman, S. H., Rouse, M. H., Connell, A. M., Broth, M. R., Hall, C. M., & Heyward, D. (2011). Maternal depression and child psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14(1), 1–27.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Hu, P., Adler, N. E., Goldman, N., Weinstein, M., & Seeman, T. E. (2005). Relationship between subjective social status and measures of health in older Taiwanese persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(3), 483–488.CrossRefPubMed Hu, P., Adler, N. E., Goldman, N., Weinstein, M., & Seeman, T. E. (2005). Relationship between subjective social status and measures of health in older Taiwanese persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(3), 483–488.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Zurück zum Zitat Jones, C. P. (2001). Invited commentary: “Race”, racism, and the practice of epidemiology. American Journal of Epidemiology, 154(4), 299–304 (discussion 305–306).CrossRefPubMed Jones, C. P. (2001). Invited commentary: “Race”, racism, and the practice of epidemiology. American Journal of Epidemiology, 154(4), 299–304 (discussion 305–306).CrossRefPubMed
27.
Zurück zum Zitat Kallan, J. (1997). Effects of sociodemographic variables on adult mortality in the United States: Comparisons by sex, age, and cause of death. Social Biology, 44(1–2), 136–147.PubMed Kallan, J. (1997). Effects of sociodemographic variables on adult mortality in the United States: Comparisons by sex, age, and cause of death. Social Biology, 44(1–2), 136–147.PubMed
28.
Zurück zum Zitat Kingston, D., & Tough, S. (2014). Prenatal and postnatal maternal mental health and school-age child development: A systematic review. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 18(7), 1728–1741.CrossRefPubMed Kingston, D., & Tough, S. (2014). Prenatal and postnatal maternal mental health and school-age child development: A systematic review. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 18(7), 1728–1741.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Zurück zum Zitat Lee, L., Halpern, C. T., Hertz-Picciotto, I., Martin, S. L., & Suchindran, C. M. (2006). Child care and social support modify the association between maternal depressive symptoms and early childhood behaviour problems: A US national study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(4), 305–310.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Lee, L., Halpern, C. T., Hertz-Picciotto, I., Martin, S. L., & Suchindran, C. M. (2006). Child care and social support modify the association between maternal depressive symptoms and early childhood behaviour problems: A US national study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(4), 305–310.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
30.
Zurück zum Zitat Lewis, G. J., Bates, T. C., Posthuma, D., & Polderman, T. J. (2014). Core dimensions of personality broadly account for the link from perceived social support to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Journal of Personality, 82(4), 329–339.CrossRefPubMed Lewis, G. J., Bates, T. C., Posthuma, D., & Polderman, T. J. (2014). Core dimensions of personality broadly account for the link from perceived social support to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Journal of Personality, 82(4), 329–339.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Zurück zum Zitat Lu, M. C. (2010). We can do better: Improving perinatal health in America. Journal of Women’s Health, 19(3), 569–574.CrossRefPubMed Lu, M. C. (2010). We can do better: Improving perinatal health in America. Journal of Women’s Health, 19(3), 569–574.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Zurück zum Zitat Lu, M. C., & Halfon, N. (2003). Racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes: A life-course perspective. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 7(1), 13–30.CrossRefPubMed Lu, M. C., & Halfon, N. (2003). Racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes: A life-course perspective. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 7(1), 13–30.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Zurück zum Zitat Operario, D., Adler, N. E., & Williams, D. R. (2004). Subjective social status: Reliability and predictive utility for global health. Psychology and Health, 19(2), 237–246.CrossRef Operario, D., Adler, N. E., & Williams, D. R. (2004). Subjective social status: Reliability and predictive utility for global health. Psychology and Health, 19(2), 237–246.CrossRef
34.
Zurück zum Zitat Ostrove, J. M., Adler, N. E., Kuppermann, M., & Washington, A. E. (2000). Objective and subjective assessments of socioeconomic status and their relationship to self-rated health in an ethnically diverse sample of pregnant women. Health Psychology, 19(6), 613–618.CrossRefPubMed Ostrove, J. M., Adler, N. E., Kuppermann, M., & Washington, A. E. (2000). Objective and subjective assessments of socioeconomic status and their relationship to self-rated health in an ethnically diverse sample of pregnant women. Health Psychology, 19(6), 613–618.CrossRefPubMed
35.
Zurück zum Zitat Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1(3), 385–401.CrossRef Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1(3), 385–401.CrossRef
36.
Zurück zum Zitat Riis, J. L., Granger, D. A., DiPietro, J. A., Bandeen-Roche, K., & Johnson, S. B. (2015). Salivary cytokines as a minimally-invasive measure of immune functioning in young children: Correlates of individual differences and sensitivity to laboratory stress. Developmental Psychobiology, 57(2), 153–167.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Riis, J. L., Granger, D. A., DiPietro, J. A., Bandeen-Roche, K., & Johnson, S. B. (2015). Salivary cytokines as a minimally-invasive measure of immune functioning in young children: Correlates of individual differences and sensitivity to laboratory stress. Developmental Psychobiology, 57(2), 153–167.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
37.
Zurück zum Zitat Scott, K. M., Al-Hamzawi, A. O., Andrade, L. H., Borges, G., Caldas-de-Almeida, J. M., Fiestas, F., et al. (2014). Associations between subjective social status and DSM-IV mental disorders: Results from the world mental health surveys. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(12), 1400–1408.CrossRefPubMed Scott, K. M., Al-Hamzawi, A. O., Andrade, L. H., Borges, G., Caldas-de-Almeida, J. M., Fiestas, F., et al. (2014). Associations between subjective social status and DSM-IV mental disorders: Results from the world mental health surveys. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(12), 1400–1408.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Zurück zum Zitat Singh-Manoux, A., Adler, N. E., & Marmot, M. G. (2003). Subjective social status: Its determinants and its association with measures of ill-health in the Whitehall II study. Social Science and Medicine, 56(6), 1321–1333.CrossRefPubMed Singh-Manoux, A., Adler, N. E., & Marmot, M. G. (2003). Subjective social status: Its determinants and its association with measures of ill-health in the Whitehall II study. Social Science and Medicine, 56(6), 1321–1333.CrossRefPubMed
39.
Zurück zum Zitat Singh-Manoux, A., Marmot, M. G., & Adler, N. E. (2005). Does subjective social status predict health and change in health status better than objective status? Psychosomatic Medicine, 67(6), 855–861.CrossRefPubMed Singh-Manoux, A., Marmot, M. G., & Adler, N. E. (2005). Does subjective social status predict health and change in health status better than objective status? Psychosomatic Medicine, 67(6), 855–861.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Zurück zum Zitat Spielberger, C., Gorsuch, R., Lushene, R., Vagg, P., & Jacobs, G. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press. Spielberger, C., Gorsuch, R., Lushene, R., Vagg, P., & Jacobs, G. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
41.
Zurück zum Zitat Wolff, L. S., Acevedo-Garcia, D., Subramanian, S. V., Weber, D., & Kawachi, I. (2010). Subjective social status, a new measure in health disparities research: Do race/ethnicity and choice of referent group matter? Journal of Health Psychology, 15(4), 560–574.CrossRefPubMed Wolff, L. S., Acevedo-Garcia, D., Subramanian, S. V., Weber, D., & Kawachi, I. (2010). Subjective social status, a new measure in health disparities research: Do race/ethnicity and choice of referent group matter? Journal of Health Psychology, 15(4), 560–574.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Zurück zum Zitat Woolhouse, H., Gartland, D., Mensah, F., & Brown, S. (2014). Maternal depression from early pregnancy to 4 years postpartum in a prospective pregnancy cohort study: Implications for primary health care. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.12837. Woolhouse, H., Gartland, D., Mensah, F., & Brown, S. (2014). Maternal depression from early pregnancy to 4 years postpartum in a prospective pregnancy cohort study: Implications for primary health care. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. doi:10.​1111/​1471-0528.​12837.
Metadaten
Titel
Subjective Social Status and Psychological Distress in Mothers of Young Children
verfasst von
Nicole Michelson
Jenna L. Riis
Sara B. Johnson
Publikationsdatum
20.06.2016
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Maternal and Child Health Journal / Ausgabe 10/2016
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2027-8

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 10/2016

Maternal and Child Health Journal 10/2016 Zur Ausgabe