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Social Support, Simpatía, and Hypertension Prevalence in Hispanics/Latinos: Findings from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study.

TitleSocial Support, Simpatía, and Hypertension Prevalence in Hispanics/Latinos: Findings from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study.
Publication TypePublication
Year2016
AuthorsMerz EL, Roesch SC, Malcarne VL, Penedo FJ, Talavera GA, Castañeda SF, Daviglus ML, Giachello AL, Gonzalez F, Perreira KM, Ponguta LA, Gallo LC
JournalJ Lat Psychol
Volume4
Issue3
Pagination131-141
Date Published2016 Aug
ISSN2578-8086
Abstract

There is a significant burden of hypertension in the United States, which extends to the large and growing Hispanic/Latino population. Previous literature suggests that psychosocial factors are related to hypertension in Hispanics/Latinos. However, cultural factors unique to this population have been largely understudied in this context. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the association of hypertension prevalence with social support and simpatía, a Hispanic/Latino cultural value emphasizing social harmony. Cross-sectional data from 5,313 adult Hispanics/Latinos, age 18 to 75 years, representing multiple heritage groups were collected as part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Contrary to predictions, higher social support was related to odds of hypertension prevalence across models ( = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22). In the final main effects logistic regression model, higher simpatía was related to lower odds of hypertension ( = .83, 95% CI: .77, .90). Sex modified the link between simpatía and hypertension, with significant effects for men but not women. A 1 SD increase in simpatía was associated with 36% lower odds of hypertension in Hispanic/Latino men. The findings suggest that social support was inversely related with hypertension prevalence and that simpatía may be a protective cultural characteristic in relation to hypertension in the Hispanic/Latino population, but only in men. These results contribute to a growing discourse about the role of Hispanic/Latino cultural values in cardiovascular health.

DOI10.1037/lat0000047
Alternate JournalJ Lat Psychol
PubMed ID28804695
PubMed Central IDPMC5553902
Grant ListN01HC65236 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65235 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65234 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65233 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65237 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
RC2 HL101649 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
P2C HD050924 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
MS#: 
0131
Manuscript Lead/Corresponding Author Affiliation: 
Affiliated Investigator - Not at HCHS/SOL site
ECI: 
Yes
Manuscript Status: 
Published