Stress and Cardiovascular Risk Among Urban African American Adults: A Multilevel, Mixed Methods Approach:Supplement

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The proposed study will utilize two waves of data from the parent study titled "Stress and Cardiovascular Risk Among Urban African American Adults: A Multilevel, Mixed Methods Approach" (R01 HL153377-01A1), led by Dr. Samuele Zilioli. This parent study aims to identify pathways linking psychosocial stressors to cardiovascular risk among middle-aged and older African Americans. Our study will include 526 asymptomatic African Americans, aged 55-77, residing in metro Detroit. Aligned with the broad overarching goals of the parent study of exploring the relationship between social ecology and cardiovascular risk in midlife and older age, we will investigate the prospective associations between religiosity and inflammation. Our theoretical model proposes that religion can influence cardiovascular disease through three mediating pathways: psychological, social, and behavioral. To date, no study has collectively tested these pathways among middle-aged and older African American adults. Using multiple latent change score modeling, we hypothesize that greater religious attendance will be associated with more positive religious coping, higher perceived social support, and lower alcohol usage, which in turn will be associated with lower inflammation levels (i.e., basal and stimulated cytokines). Understanding these mediating pathways could inform culturally tailored interventions that harness the protective effects of religion as a social determinant of cardiovascular health for African American adults.