Sociocultural Stress Research Articles

Examining the indirect effects of acculturation stress on insomnia through rumination and alcohol use among Latinx women and men.

Acculturation stress, a type of sociocultural stress, is positively associated with insomnia among Latinxs; however, the mechanisms of this association remain elusive. We tested the indirect effects of acculturation stress on insomnia through rumination and alcohol use, two coping strategies associated with insomnia, and explored these effects in gender-stratified models among Latinxs. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 187 Latinxs participating in the Latino Sleep and Health study in New York City in 2016-2019. We conducted bias-corrected boot-strap tests of mediation with case resampling (1,000 replications) in aggregate and gender-stratified models. Acculturation stress and insomnia were measured continuously using the Hispanic Stress Inventory and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Rumination was measured using a subscale of the Ruminative Response Scale. The Quantity-Frequency Index was used to measure alcohol use. Covariates included age, New York City poverty threshold, and perceived stress. Participants were Mage 37.43 (SD = 13.67). Most participants were women (64.17%). The average ISI was 6.65 (SD = 5.51). The indirect effect of acculturation stress on insomnia through rumination was statistically significant (b = 0.02, 95% BCa CI [0.01, 0.03]). Among women, this indirect effect had slightly larger coefficients than among men (b = 0.02, 95% BCa CI [0.01, 0.04]; b = 0.01, 95% BCa CI [0.004, 0.04]). Alcohol use was not a statistically significant mediator (b = -0.001, 95% BCa CI [-0.004, 0.0002]). These findings suggest that psychological interventions focused on reducing rumination in response to acculturation stress may promote healthy sleep among Latinxs, particularly among Latina women. Future studies should use longitudinal study designs to determine the causal relationships among these variables. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Social and emotional well-being intervention to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression among Ukrainian refugees resettled in Massachusetts.

Mental health problems are high among refugees due to their traumatic experiences of fleeing war and witnessing disasters and deaths due to violence and conflict. Refugees are exposed to various socio-cultural stressors during their migration journey before, during, and after arriving at the host country, which may increase their risk of mental health problems. Strength-based interventions may be beneficial to address their socio-cultural and psychological stressors by strengthening individual's strengths to address their problems. This study evaluated the effect of a Social and Emotional Wellbeing intervention on mental health (stress, anxiety, and depression) and emotional health outcomes (coping, self-efficacy, social support, and conflict resolution) among Ukrainian refugees in Massachusetts. We implemented intervention (once-weekly/5-week) among 31 Ukrainian refugees with pre-and post-assessment of mental and emotional health outcomes (2022-2023). The intervention consisted 5-module: managing stress and mind-body exercise, strengthening communication and social networking, problem-solving, and creating a healthy family environment. Validated scales were used to measure mental and emotional health outcomes, such as the Hopkins-Symptom-Checklist-25 for anxiety and depression and the Cohen-Perceived-Stress scale for stress. Paired t-test was used for data analysis. The pre versus post-intervention proportion reduced for anxiety (61.29% vs. 22.58%) and depression (58.06% vs. 22.58%). The mean scores significantly decreased from pre- to post-intervention by 6.26 points for stress, by 7.07 points for anxiety, and by 6.29 points for depression (both p's < .01). The mean scores significantly increased for coping (by 15.71), emotion-focused engagement (4.48), problem-focused engagement (4.80), social support (8.77), problem-focused coping self-efficacy (14.93), stop unpleasant emotions and thoughts (12.74), and friends networking (3.48; all p's < .01). The stress, anxiety, and depression were reduced, and coping, self-efficacy, and social support networking skills were improved among Ukrainians after intervention. This program should be replicated in the larger community for a wider benefit.

Ethnic–Racial Discrimination Exposure and Anxiety in Latina Girls: Amygdala Volume as an Indirect Neurobiological Pathway

Ethnic–racial discrimination, the differential treatment of individuals based on ethnic or racial group membership, predicts poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety. This is supported by long-standing theories on the social determinants of health and minority stress. However, these theories are rarely expanded to neurobiological sciences, limiting our understanding of mechanisms underlying observed associations. One potential neurobiological pathway between ethnic–racial discrimination exposure and anxiety is that ongoing exposure to racially charged encounters presents imminent threats that may modify stress-sensitive neurocircuitry, like the amygdala.The current study evaluated whether amygdala volume mediated associations between ethnic–racial discrimination exposure and anxiety symptoms in Latina girls, a group exhibiting heightened levels of untreated anxiety and disproportionately subjected to ethnic–racial discrimination.Thirty predominantly Mexican-identifying Latina girls residing in Southern California (MAge = 9.76, SD = 1.11 years) completed a T1-weighted structural MRI scan. Using the Perceptions of Racism in Children and Youth, participants self-reported the prevalence and severity of various discriminatory experiences. Participants also self-reported their anxiety symptoms via the Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders. Controlling for total intracranial volume and annual household income, an indirect effect of ethnic–racial discrimination on anxiety symptoms via left amygdala volume was observed, β = −0.28, SE = 0.17, BC 95% CI [−0.690, −0.017]. The current findings suggest that the left amygdala is sensitive to racialized threats in childhood and that stress-related alterations may, in part, contribute to elevated anxiety in Latina girls. Our data elucidate a potential mechanism by which this form of sociocultural stress can adversely impact mental health, particularly in the transition from middle childhood to early adolescence, a period marked by a host of interlinked neurophysiological and social changes.

A multisystem model for understanding stress and adaptation in ethnically and racially diverse youth.

Contemporary biological and contextually based theoretical frameworks have conceptualized how stress exposure may influence adaptation in youth. However, nearly all of this scholarship neglects the role of specific contextual features and/or biological processes that are involved in ethnic-racial minority youth's responses and adaptation to sociocultural stressors. Drawing on the theoretical principles of the developmental psychopathology framework and contemporary models of stress and adaptation, this article proposes a new multisystem model that explains how multiple levels and systems within and outside of individual youth influence their sociocultural adaptation. We provide empirical evidence to support components of this multisystem model. We propose that research based on our new theoretical framework will capture the sociocultural experiences of ethnic-racial minority youth by centering processes that are relevant to their lived experiences, coping, and adjustment. In doing so, this model will inform psychosocial interventions focused on promoting healthy adaptation among ethnic and racial diverse youth. Finally, we offer recommendations to guide future research on stress and adaptation among ethnic and racial diverse youth, in particular, and developmental psychopathology more broadly.

Abstract P231: Are Resiliency and Religiosity/Spirituality Associated With Better Sleep Outcomes in Midlife Latinas?

Background: The disproportionate cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden among Latinas is not completely explained. An important health behavior in CVD prevention is sleep. In the United States (U.S.), Latinas experience unique sociocultural stressors that may impact sleep, particularly in midlife. Yet, little is known about protective factors such as resiliency and religiosity/spirituality among midlife Latinas. Aims: To assess the relation of resiliency and religiosity/spirituality with sleep disturbances in midlife Latinas. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from 49 participants in a pilot study to reduce CVD risk in midlife Latinas. Participants were Latinas aged 40-60 years who were perimenopausal or early postmenopausal, free of CVD, with no menopause hormone therapy use in the prior three months. Women were recruited from community settings. The frequency of sleep disturbances (trouble falling asleep, waking early, or nocturnal awakenings) over the past two weeks was assessed, and a sum score was created (0-16). The 6-item Brief Resilience Scale was used to assess the perceived ability to “bounce back” or recover from hardship. Religiosity/spirituality was determined by self-report (how important is religion/spirituality to you). Multivariable linear regression models were performed at p&lt;0.15, adjusting for sociodemographic. Results: Participants were on average aged 47.1±4.5 years, 47% had less than a high school education, and 98% were born outside of the continental U.S. Sixty-nine percent of women experienced trouble falling asleep. The mean sleep score was 6.9±4.6. In adjusted models, we found an inverse relationship between resiliency and sleep (ß[SE]= -0.33[0.13],p=0.01). Religiosity/spirituality was not related to sleep disturbances (ß[SE]= 1.15[1.60],p=0.48). Conclusions: In this analysis of midlife Latinas, higher resiliency was associated with poorer sleep. Findings suggest that the ability to “bounce back” after hardship and religiosity/spirituality may not buffer the negative impact of stress on sleep. Further research is necessary with objective sleep measures to identify protective factors for sleep disturbances that may subsequently improve CVD risk in midlife Latinas.

Creating a Space to Feel: An Integrative Therapy Approach with an Adolescent Diagnosed with Dissociative Motor Disorder.

The dissociative motor disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of dissociative disorder in the Indian population, especially among adolescents. However, there is a dearth of literature on effective psychotherapy practices in the Indian setting. This article details the unique process of employing an integrative psychotherapy approach with a 16-year-old adolescent girl diagnosed with dissociative motor disorder who presented with complaints of headache, deviation of mouth, multiple somatic complaints, inability to move her legs, episodes of loss of consciousness with jerking of upper limbs and a non-pervasive low mood. A detailed evaluation highlighted significant disruptions in attachment with caregivers, complicated grief, significant anger towards her family which did not find a space for expression, unhealthy coping mechanisms in the background of a slow-to-warm-up temperament and sociocultural stressors. The case formulation drew elements from the psychodynamic perspective, family systems approach, biosocial theory and the cognitive behavioural perspective. The intervention from the first session until termination is delineated in different phases which outline the significant themes that emerged along with the techniques used, challenges faced and therapist reflections. The role of the therapeutic alliance, working through transference, systemic work, primary and secondary gains and the importance of defences along with the aftermath of losing them becomes especially salient as the psychotherapy progresses in this case. The implications of the therapy process that can hold relevance to the management of dissociation disorder in the clinical setting are also discussed.

Children's behavioural and emotional reactions towards living with congenital heart disease in Saudi Arabia: A grounded theory study.

A high incidence of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) was found in Saudi Arabia (SA). International literature reports that children with CHD exhibit behavioural and emotional issues due to experiencing hospitalisation and clinical treatments combined with a dearth of qualitative understanding of the experiences of younger children with CHD. Therefore, the aim was to explore the behaviour and emotions of 4-10-year-olds with CHD in SA through children's accounts of their own experiences and parental proxy reports of children's behaviour and emotions. Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory (GT) approach was used. Twenty single semi-structured interviews of 10 child/parent dyads were undertaken at a hospital clinic in SA. Children's interviews were combined with an arts-based approach using drawings, pictures and faces of emotions (emojis). Constant comparison analysis was undertaken. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines was followed in reporting this study. A substantive GT: children's behavioural and emotional reactions towards stressors related to living with CHD was developed and provides new insights into children's and parents' perceptions of the children's behavioural and emotional reactions to living with CHD in SA. The theory proposes that children's reactions to living with CHD relate to medical treatment stressors, sociocultural stressors and physical change stressors. Several further factors influenced children's responses to these stressors. Children and parents in SA contributed to a new understanding of the relationship between CHD and children's behavioural and emotional reactions. In addition, findings support the need for early assessment of behaviour and emotions among children with CHD and the application of preventative and supportive measures for the children and their families in SA. Before the research commenced, the developmental appropriateness of the proposed arts-based data collection tools was tested with three healthy children aged 6-9 years old; the tools were then revised accordingly before the interviews were undertaken.

Blessing or curse: the role of authoritarian filial piety and self-efficacy in caregiver gains among Chinese family caregivers caring for physically impaired older adults

BackgroundThis study investigated the effects of authoritarian filial piety (AFP) and caregiver self-efficacy on the caregiving experience of adult children of physically impaired older adults. Socio-cultural stress and coping model was applied to test the influence of AFP on caregiver gains.MethodsA total of 601 Chinese adult children caregivers and care-recipient dyads participated in this cross-sectional study in 2021. Four instruments were used to collect data: the 4-item Zarit Burden Interview, Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale, Caregiver Task Inventory Scale, and Authoritarian Filial Piety Scale. All mediation and moderated mediation effects were estimated using SPSS 26.0.ResultsCaregiver self-efficacy was found to not only mediate but also help family caregivers convert their burden into positive gains. AFP moderates the association between caregiver burden and self-efficacy, as well as between caregiver burden and caregiver gains.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable insights into filial piety, elucidating AFP’s comprehensive impact on cognitive appraisals of caregiving. Culturally sensitive psychoeducational therapy, addressing AFP expectations and boosting caregiver self-efficacy, is recommended to enhance positive caregiving outcomes.

FAMILY MATTERS: CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN FAMILISM AND CAREGIVING OUTCOMES

Abstract The increasing number of minority older adults and subsequent increase in minority individuals needed to provide care highlights the need to understand how the caregiving role is experienced and perceived among racial/ethnic minority groups. Familism, a cross-cultural collectivist value, has been examined as a driving mechanism influencing differential outcomes in family caregivers. However, research examining familism in caregiving has yielded mixed results. Guided by the Sociocultural Stress and Coping Model, the purpose of this study is to examine cross-cultural differences in familism and its influence on caregiving outcomes. Baseline data were collected from 243 family caregivers who participated in the Caring for the Caregiver Network randomized controlled trial, a culturally tailored technology-based psychosocial intervention. Results showed that familism was more highly endorsed by Hispanic and African American participants, when compared to Whites, which was subsequently associated with positive aspects of caregiving, depression, and burden. Exploratory analyses among the Hispanic subgroup were conducted to examine how acculturation, operationalized as number of years living in the US, influences familism and found that a longer length of time spent in the US was negatively associated with familism. When dividing our sample into U.S. natives versus non-natives, non-native Hispanic participants reported higher familism compared to natives. Findings indicate that cross-cultural differences in caregiving appraisals may operate as a function of cultural values, which influence one’s subjective evaluation of the caregiving role and contribute to more optimal outcomes – highlighting the need for culturally congruent interventions to promote positive caregiving outcomes particularly among racial/ethnic minorities.

THE FAITH CARE FAMILY PROJECT: A PILOT STUDY PROTOCOL

Abstract The use of lay providers/trained volunteers, to address ADRD caregiver needs may provide a scalable and culturally congruent approach for bridging gaps in ADRD care, particularly for African American families. Research examining the church as a platform for raising awareness about ADRD suggests that churches are well-suited to providing support and services to families affected by ADRD. This research protocol describes the development and testing of the Faith Care Family Project (FCF), a lay provider intervention for African American family caregivers in a church setting to address caregiver burden, coping skills, and social support. Guided by the revised sociocultural stress and coping model, an explanatory sequential mixed methods design will be utilized to test the efficacy of the FCF intervention with a sample of 18 church volunteer-family caregiver dyads. Specifically, the study addresses four aims: 1) How do church members and pastors perceive the key components of the FCF and what are their recommendations for implementation? 2) Do the church volunteers gain knowledge of ADRD after the 6-hour, FCF training? 3) Do family caregivers report more knowledge of dementia, less caregiver stress and improved well-being, more social support, and better coping skills after they participate in the FCF? and 4) What are the experiences of participants with the FCF? Data are collected at baseline, mid-intervention, post- intervention, 3 months-post intervention and through qualitative interviews. These evaluation activities will allow us to determine the applicability of the FCF as an effective, lay provider intervention for African American ADRD family caregivers.

Abstract 12276: The Mediating Effects of Insomnia Symptom Severity on the Relationship Between Acculturation Stress and the Prevalence of Hypertension Among Latinx Adults

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN), a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, affects about 44% of Latinxs in the US. Acculturation stress, a type of sociocultural stress, is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes (i.e., HTN), in this population yet the mechanisms driving this association are understudied. Insomnia symptom severity(ISI) has been associated with increased acculturation stress and increased risk of HTN. So, ISI may drive the positive association between acculturation stress and HTN among Latinxs. We aim to examine the direct and indirect effects of acculturation stress on the prevalence of HTN via ISI among Latinxs. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that increased acculturation stress will be directly and indirectly associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension via increasing ISI. Methods: Using a sample of Latinx adults participating in the Hispanic Community Health Survey/Study of Latinos Baseline and Sueño Ancillary studies (n=1464), we conducted weighted unadjusted and adjusted bias corrected bootstrap tests of mediation. Acculturation stress was measured through the Hispanic Stress Index. ISI was measured through the Insomnia Severity Index. Hypertension was categorized as blood pressure &amp;gt130/80 or antihypertensive medication use. Adjustments for age, sex, nativity status, body mass index, and site were made. Results: Participants were M age=41.99 (SD=12.96). Most were women (53.76%), immigrants (65.44%), and of Mexican heritage (31.80%). Participants had a M ISI=7.38 (SD=6.49). About 39.01% were hypertensive. The total and direct effects of acculturation stress on the prevalence of HTN were statistically significant (PR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02; PR=1.01, 95%CI: 1.00-1.02). ISI was a statistically significant mediator in the relationship between increased acculturation stress and increased prevalence of HTN in unadjusted models (Indirect effect=0.002, BCa 95% CI: 0.0002-0.004). Conclusions: Results suggest acculturation stress impacts HTN via increasing ISI among Latinxs. These findings should be replicated using longitudinal designs. If replicated, ISI may be an important target of intervention to mitigate the effects of acculturation stress on HTN among Latinxs.

A Pilot Randomized Control Trial Demonstrating the Efficacy of the SIESTA Sleep Hygiene Intervention.

Shorter sleep duration can negatively impact children's daytime functioning and health. Latino children living near urban areas in the Mainland U.S. and Island Puerto Rico (PR) can be exposed to urban poverty and sociocultural stressors that challenge optimal sleep outcomes. Interventions to improve urban Latino children's sleep health should consider families' cultural background and environmental context to enhance acceptability and feasibility. This work describes our stepwise, multimethod approach to adapting a culturally and contextually tailored "School Intervention to Enhance Latino Students' Time Asleep (SIESTA)" for sixth- to eighth-grade Latino children residing in Greater Providence and San Juan and findings from a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) demonstrating SIESTA's efficacy. Results indicated high acceptability and greater improvement of sleep duration and behaviors in SIESTA versus control participants. The SIESTA shows potential to improve sleep outcomes in urban Latino middle schoolers. Results will inform a large-scale RCT to evaluate SIESTA's effectiveness and barriers to implementation.

Korean American Patients' and Family Caregivers' Sources of Social Support and Perceptions of Cancer and the Caregiving Role: A Theory-Driven Qualitative Study.

To understand the sources of social support and perceptions of cancer and the caregiving role for Korean American patients with cancer and their family caregivers. Using convenience sampling, Korean American patients with cancer and their family caregivers were recruited from Korean American churches and community health agencies. Semistructured interviews guided by the sociocultural stress and coping model were conducted with 12 dyads (N = 24) of Korean American patients with cancer and their family caregivers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Patients' social support sources included Korean cancer support programs, family or friends, and religion. Family caregivers' sources of social support were limited to religion and friends. Nurses can encourage patients with cancer in racial and ethnic minority groups to attend cancer support programs offered in their primary language to enhance their quality of life during cancer survivorship. Culturally tailored interventions are needed to support the patients' family caregivers.

Critical examination of resilience and resistance in African American families: Adaptive capacities to navigate toxic oppressive upstream waters.

African American families navigate not only everyday stressors and adversities but also unique sociocultural stressors (e.g., "toxic upstream waters" like oppression). These adverse conditions are consequences of the historical vestiges of slavery and Jim Crow laws, often manifested as inequities in wealth, housing, wages, employment, access to healthcare, and quality education. Despite these challenges, African American families have developed resilience using strength-based adaptive coping strategies, to some extent, to filter these waters. To advance the field of resilience research, we focused on the following questions: (1) what constitutes positive responses to adversity?; (2) how is resilience defined conceptually and measured operationally?; (3) how has the field of resilience evolved?; (4) who defines what, when, and how responses are manifestations of resilience, instead of, for example, resistance? How can resistance, which at times leads to positive adaptations, be incorporated into the study of resilience?; and (5) are there case examples that demonstrate ways to address structural oppression and the pernicious effects of racism through system-level interventions, thereby changing environmental situations that sustain toxic waters requiring acts of resilience to survive and thrive? We end by exploring how a re-conceptualization of resilience requires a paradigm shift and new methodological approaches to understand ways in which preventive interventions move beyond focusing on families' capacity to navigate oppression and target systems and structures that maintain these toxic waters.

Association of sociocultural stressors with bipolar disorder onset in Puerto Rican youth growing up as members of a minoritized ethnic group: results from the Boricua Youth Longitudinal Study

The development of bipolar disorder is currently explained by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Less is known regarding the influence of sociocultural factors. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and impact of sociocultural factors on bipolar disorder onset in two comparable samples of youth growing up in different social settings. We leveraged data from two urban population-based cohorts representative of Puerto Rican children growing up in either San Juan (Puerto Rico) or the South Bronx (NYC) and followed up for 17 years. Bipolar disorder diagnoses were based on retrospective self-reports on the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. We used a causal inference approach to estimate associations of sociocultural factors with bipolar disorder onset after adjusting for potential confounders. We found that South Bronx children, who grew up as a minoritized group, had twice the risk of bipolar disorder onset as young adults, with an incidence rate of 2.22 new cases per 1000 person-years compared to 1.08 new cases in San Juan (incidence rate difference, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.09-1.20). After adjusting for potential confounders, South Bronx children had the same lifetime hazard of bipolar disorder onset compared to San Juan children. However, our analysis demonstrated that caregivers' exposure to societal cultural stress partially explained the increased risk of bipolar disorder onset in the South Bronx, in addition to the potential contribution of genetics. Our results provide evidence that societal cultural stress can increase the risk of lifetime bipolar disorder onset in youth growing up as a minoritized group. Addressing stress in minoritized groups might reduce the risk of bipolar disorder onset. The Boricua Youth Study has been supported by the National Institutes of HealthMH56401, MH098374, DA033172, and AA020191. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the article.

Acculturative Stress and Self-rated Health among Hispanic Emerging Adults: Examining the Moderating Effects of the Social Environment and Social Support.

Little is known about the impact of sociocultural stressors such as acculturative stress on self-rated healthamong Hispanics. We aimed to examine (a) associations between acculturative stress and self-rated health, and(b) the moderating effects of the community of settlement (i.e., Maricopa County, AZ and Miami-Dade County, FL) and social support on the association between acculturative stress and self-rated health. A hierarchical multiple regression model and moderation analyses were conducted using a cross-sectional sample of 200 Hispanic emerging adults from Arizona and Florida. Findings indicate that higher levels of pressure to acculturate are associated with lower levels of self-rated health. Community of settlement functioned as a moderator whereby pressure to acculturate was only associated with lower levels of self-rated health in Maricopa County. Lastly, a three-way interaction indicated that emotional social support mitigated the association between pressure to acculturate and self-rated health in Maricopa County. This study highlights the importance of accounting for community of settlement when examining associations between acculturative stress and health-related outcomes. A finding that may have implications for interventions is that social support may help to counteract the effects of acculturative stress.

Abstract 725: Prostate cancer risk disparities and sociocultural factors in men of African ancestry

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this research study was to quantify the prostate cancer (PCa) mortality rate in Men of African Ancestry (MAA) living in the State of Florida, the tri-county region of South Florida including Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade, and to explore the embodiment of sociocultural factors that contribute to the PCa disparity in the United State (U.S.). Method: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive study design was used to identify differences in the resident PCa mortality rate in MAA stratified based on single race of Black and birth origin of Haiti (HA), Jamaica (JA), or the United States (U.S.). The intersection of health disparities and the embodiment of chronic exposure to sociocultural stressors was also explored. Results: The Paired t-Test was used for statistical testing. The results indicated death from PCa is a health disparity in MAA in Florida when examined in aggregate by ancestry and disaggregate by birth origin. In the state of Florida, when the PCa death rate was viewed in aggregate by ancestry, a significant difference was found between MAA and Men of European Ancestry (MEA) (t(2)=4.303, p≤.01). There was a statistically significant relationship found between being MAA and death from PCa (r=.866, p≤.01). This suggests there are place based health disparities among MAA in the State of Florida. When the PCa mortality rate in MAA in the tri county region of South Florida was examined in aggregate by ancestry versus disaggregate by birth origin a significant difference was shown between MAA and HA born men (t(2)=4.30, p=0.05). No difference was shown between MAA and U.S., or JA born men. By county, the highest death rate was found in JA born men in Miami-Dade, and HA born men in Broward and Palm Beach. Overall, the lowest death rates in each county were found in U.S. born men. The results suggest that there are clear placed based and birth origin disparities in the South Florida region. Conclusions: Examining differences in the PCa mortality rates in MAA in disaggregate by birth origin provides opportunity for the observation of sociocultural factors that affect health such as cultural beliefs and fears, chronic exposure to stressors such as structural and explicit racism and racialization in the U.S, immigration status and barriers to healthcare; all sociocultural factors that if examined may aid in explaining the increased rate of PCa death experienced by MAA and why the disparity exists. Citation Format: Joan M. Brown. Prostate cancer risk disparities and sociocultural factors in men of African ancestry [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 725.

Stronger together: Supporting Generation Z college students through relational‐cultural therapy

AbstractGeneration Z college students present with specific characteristics, learning styles, and interpersonal needs. Since March of 2020, these students have endured sociocultural stressors of COVID‐19, publicized racial injustices, and a contentious presidential election. This article examines this and how college counselors’ use of relational‐cultural therapy can lead to collective healing.

We Are What We See: Depictions of aging across creative mediums

Creativity represents perhaps the most inherently human characteristic, and its presence within artistic media not only allows for individual expression, but also creates an opportunity to analyze the broader sociocultural consciousness across time and space. Within this context, depictions of aging across each medium allows geriatric mental health providers an opportunity to understand the broader social consciousness and both positive and negative biases inherent within depictions of older adults. Once identified these themes serve to guide the clinician in developing both an understanding of age-related sociocultural stressors and a clinical framework within which psychotherapeutic interventions might be couched.Depictions of older adults and concepts of age may be analyzed across visual media of painting and photography, with particular focus spanning historic eras of artistic enterprise. By examining visual portrayals of aging, many of which were created hundreds or even thousands of years ago, the depiction of older people may be brought to light as a fluid experience, changing over time but often remaining static with regard to its core themes. Specific examples of this will include, but are not limited to, Bernardo Strozzi's Vanitas (The Old Coquette), Rembrandt's self-portraits across his life, and the Mae West series by Diane Arbus.Traditional presentation of older adults and concepts of age may be further analyzed across visual media of television and film, and these creative depictions allow for a more nuanced appreciation of cultural factors implicit to aging. Specific examples of this will include examination of comedic portrayals in film such as Grumpy Old Men (2009) or Harold and Maude (1971) alongside dramatic discussions of issues surrounding longevity and issues of aging such as Cocoon (1985), Tuesdays with Morrie (1999), or On Golden Pond (1981). Similar parallels may also be found in the small screen and include such television series as This is Us, Grace & Frankie, and Golden Girls, alongside countless exemplar scenes within other series and films.Notably, depictions of aging within music incorporate not only the artist's own conceptions surrounding aging, but uniquely serve as a projective opportunity for the listener's individual biases and opinions. Without the direct visual cues of other creative mediums, such depictions may be open to a greater degree of interpretation. In numerous examples these represent negative depictions highlighting isolation (Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby), feebleness (Elvis Costello's Veronica), and unattractiveness (Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell's Back When We Were Beautiful). However there are celebrations of age in a relative minority of cases, including Sophie Tucker's Life Begins at Forty and Rod Stewart's Forever Young. Taken further, dance, perhaps more than any other modality highlights the inherent ageism which exists not just in the depiction and consumption of creative media, but poses a unique challenge when facing limitations imposed on the author-creator themselves.Ultimately, through analysis of the stereotypical themes depicting aging across creative mediums, a geriatric psychiatrist can be uniquely positioned to appreciate the consequences these depictions may have on older adults, but positive and negative. By recognizing these influences, psychotherapeutically supported treatment planning may serve to highlight the positive roles which exist and potential opportunities for incorporation into principles of successful aging.

THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM PLUS: A PROMISING LAY PROVIDER MODEL FOR ADRD FAMILY CAREGIVING

Abstract Considerable disparities exist in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia (ADRD) in older African American (AA) populations compared to older white populations. Given the need for caregiver interventions for family caregivers from racial and ethnic minority groups that hold potential for translation, implementation, and sustainability in their communities, peer-led, lay provider models may offer promise. We developed the Senior Companion Program Plus (SCP Plus), a peer-led psychoeducational program for AA family caregivers (CGs) provided by Senior Companions (SCs). Guided by sociocultural stress and coping model, the study was a randomized controlled trial that assessed the effects of SCP Plus on AA ADRD family caregivers’ stress and burden, coping skills, and social support. Although COVID-19 ended the trial early, study participants included Senior Companion-Caregiver dyads (N=20). Friedman tests for non-normally distributed variables, one-way repeated measures ANOVA for normally distributed variables, and post hoc between group significance tests were conducted. CGs in SCP Plus group reported significantly decreased caregiving burden (F(2,6) = 17.65, p = 0.003) especially between pre- and follow up-tests, as well as increased coping skills, especially at post-test (F(2,6) = 4.93, p = 0.05), satisfaction with social support (χ2(2) = 6.53, p = 0.04), and positive aspect of caregiving (χ2(2) = 6.53, p = 0.04) (especially between pre- and post-tests as well as between pre- and follow up-tests). Implications for future research are offered as well as lessons learned for culturally congruent, lay provider interventions for ADRD family caregivers.