Social Support and CHD Risk Factors--A Community Study

Cardiovascular Diseases Clinical Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00005343
• Other study ID #: 4206
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: May 25, 2000
• Last updated: June 23, 2005
• Start date: January 1993
• Est. completion date: December 1995

Study information

• Verified date: May 2000
• Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Federal Government
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

To examine the mechanism through which social support affects morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease.

Description:

BACKGROUND:

Two hypotheses have been proposed to account for the effects of social support on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Both hypotheses operate through effects on risk factors for coronary heart disease, specifically arterial blood pressure and serum lipids. The stress- buffering hypothesis states that social support functions as a social resource for individuals exposed to social stressors; those persons with more support are less vulnerable to the risk-enhancing effects of stressors. The health behavior hypothesis states that persons with more support engage in more positive health behaviors, such as avoiding tobacco; moderate alcohol use; exercise; and, a prudent diet. A major limitation in research to evaluate these alternative hypotheses has been the failure to conceptualize and measure social support in a way appropriate to detect its effects in varying social and cultural contexts. This is a major issue in research in sub-cultural communities that are also high risk communities, such as African-Americans.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

A cross-sectional survey of social stressors, social supports, health behaviors, and arterial blood pressure and serum lipids was conducted in a Black community in the rural South to evaluate the relative strengths of the stress-buffering versus the health behavior hypothesis. Social support was measured using a culturally appropriate technique which was sensitive both to the distinction between kin and nonkin social support, and the modification of the effects of that support by generational status. Multiple regression analysis and path analysis were used to evaluate the alternative hypotheses.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 0
• Est. completion date: December 1995
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Male
• Age group: N/A and older
• Eligibility: No eligibility criteria

Study Design

N/A

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Coronary Disease
• Heart Diseases

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

References & Publications (3)

Dressler WW. Hypertension in the African American community: social, cultural, and psychological factors. Semin Nephrol. 1996 Mar;16(2):71-82. Review. — View Citation

Dressler WW. Social identity and arterial blood pressure in the African-American community. Ethn Dis. 1996 Winter-Spring;6(1-2):176-89. — View Citation

Dressler WW. Social status and the health of families: a model. Soc Sci Med. 1994 Dec;39(12):1605-13. — View Citation