Abstract # 2040 High social strain and physical health: Examining the roles of anxious arousal and IL-6

Abstract

Social relationships have powerful effects on physical health. Indeed, high social strain (i.e., frequent negative interactions with friends, family, or one’s partner) increases risk of morbidity and mortality. High anxious arousal due to frequent social strain may be an underlying mechanism given that anxious arousal is associated with a pro-inflammatory response. When chronic, heightened inflammation results in the deterioration of overall health. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study was to investigate anxious arousal and inflammation as underlying mechanisms of the previously identified association between social strain and health. A sample of 766 middle aged adults participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS 2) study completed self-report measures of social strain, anxious arousal, and physical health. Blood samples were collected to measure interleukin-6 (IL-6). Using 5000 bootstrap samples, results indicated that greater social strain was associated with poorer self-reported health due to the serial pathway from high anxious arousal to IL-6 (95% CI; .001, .008). Findings add to the literature through identification of anxious arousal and IL-6 as mechanisms underlying the association between social strain and physical health. Future investigations should assess these associations over time. Results indicate that interventions targeting anxious arousal and associated inflammation may be beneficial for protecting against the negative effects of high social strain on physical health.