Social Stress, Social Connectedness, and Health

Columbia University Health Sciences, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sexual and racial/ethnic minorities (SREM) have documented disparities in mental and physical health. These disparities have been attributed, at least in part, to social stress related to sex characteristics and sex-typed cultural behaviors that differ from prevailing social norms. Perceived social support has been shown to be protective and may buffer the impact of social stress on health. However, little is known about the social relations and connectedness of SREM adults. This study therefore examines the social relations of SREM adults and identifies targets for future interventions to enhance their social connectedness, health and wellbeing. Guided by the Convoy Model of Social Relations, the study aims to: (1) Examine the social relations and connectedness of SREM adults age 18-69 through in-depth, qualitative interviews (N = 60); (2) adapt the established structured Social Convoy Interview protocol to quantitatively assess the contemporary social networks and support of these adults through a series of cognitive interviews (N = 24); and (3) identify strengths and weaknesses in social connectedness that moderate the association between social stress and outcomes of mental health and aging among a community sample of SREM adults (N = 360). Participants will be recruited through venue-based sampling in the New York City and New Orleans metropolitan areas, two cities that differ in social acceptance and place-based accommodation of sexual minorities. The study will combine self-report interview data and telomere length as a biomarker of aging. The study will result in an in-depth understanding of the social connectedness of SREM adults; an instrument to assess the contemporary social networks of this population; and generalizable knowledge about the mechanism of how social support may buffer the negative impact of social stress on health. Findings will inform future interventions to reduce social isolation and disparities in health among sexual and racial/ethnic minority populations.