Bu Huang

Psychosocial Mediation of Religious Coping Styles: A Study of Short-Term Psychological Distress Following Cardiac Surgery

Although religiousness and religious coping styles are well-documented predictors of well-being, research on the mechanisms through which religious coping styles operate is sparse. This prospective study examined religious coping styles, hope, and social support as pathways of the influence of general religiousness (religious importance and involvement) on the reduced postoperative psychological distress of 309 cardiac patients. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that controlling for preoperative distress, gender, and education, religiousness contributed to positive religious coping, which in turn was associated with less distress via a path fully mediated by the secular factors of social support and hope. Furthermore, negative religious coping styles, although correlated at the bivariate level with preoperative distress but not with religiousness, were associated both directly and indirectly with greater post-operative distress via the same mediators.

The Influence of Prayer Coping on Mental Health among Cardiac Surgery Patients The Role of Optimism and Acute Distress

To address the inconsistent findings and based on Hegels dialectic contradictive principle, this study tested a parallel mediation model that may underlie the association of using prayer for coping with cardiac surgery outcomes. Three sequential interviews were conducted with 310 patients who underwent open-heart surgery. A structural equation model demonstrated that optimism mediated the favorable effect of prayer coping. Prayer coping was also related to preoperative stress symptoms, which had a counterbalance effect on outcomes. Age was associated with better preoperative mental health, but age-related chronic conditions were associated with poor outcomes; both of these were mediated through the same mediators.

Overall health and healthcare utilization among latino american women in the United States

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the chronic conditions, behavioral-mental health and service utilization of Latino American women in the first epidemiologic survey in the United States. METHODS Using a national sample (n=1427) from the National Latino and Asian American Study, we assessed and compared the prevalence of overall health and service use in three major subgroups, Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican, and in other Latino American women. Service use included general medical, mental health, and subspecialists. RESULTS In physical health, Puerto Rican American women reported the highest rate of asthma, whereas Mexican American women reported the highest rate of diabetes. Cuban American women reported the highest rate of hypertension and heart diseases. Body mass index (BMI) indicated that overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)) and obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m(2)) were prevalent in all three subgroups: two thirds of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, respectively, and >50% of Cuban Americans. Of the sample, 11.6% rated their mental health status as fair or poor, and 10.8% reported at least one major depressive disorder (MDD) in the past 12 months. Puerto Rican American women had the highest rates on depression, substance abuse, and seeking mental health service, and Cuban American women saw specialists most frequently. CONCLUSIONS Patterns of overall health issues varied among Latino American subgroup women, yet they have low rates of healthcare use. It is critical to further examine factors associated with the sex-specific health issues and with their health services underuse.

Types of prayer, optimism, and well-being of middle-aged and older patients undergoing open-heart surgery

To specify the psychological mechanism through which faith factors may influence health-related well-being, we followed a sample of middle-aged and older patients for their experiences associated with open-heart surgery. Structural equation modeling analysis in an earlier report demonstrated a parallel-pathway explanatory model in which preoperative optimism and acute stress response functioned as positive and negative mediators, respectively, of the influence of using prayer for coping. This current analysis addresses an additional question: Which styles or types of prayer usage may have potential protection in postoperative outcomes? Three interviews were conducted with 295 patients (age 62±). Items from established instruments were used to assess postoperative mental health, optimism, acute stress, prayer coping, and chronic conditions. Structural equation modeling was used to test a theoretical conceptual model. The major finding was unexpected. Of the four major types, only the use of “petitionary” prayer was related to better postoperative well-being, mediated through optimism, whereas “conversational” prayer was associated with poor outcomes, mediated through acute stress. Optimism appeared to counterbalance this undesirable stress effect. Interpretations were sought on the basis of the literature and theories, especially those that have linked “petitionary” prayer with disadvantaged populations.

Physical, behavioral, and mental health issues in Asian American women: results from the National Latino Asian American Study.

AIMS Asian American womens health has been understudied while the Asian American population is increasing. The purpose of this study was to examine the physical, behavioral, and mental health of Asian American women. METHODS Using a nationally representative sample (n=1097) from the National Latino Asian American Study (NLAAS), the first comprehensive epidemiologic survey in the United States, we examined the annual rates of behavioral, physical, and mental healthcare service use, including general medical, specialty mental health, and any medical services, in three major subgroups of Asian American women. RESULTS Health problems varied with three major subgroups of Asian American women. In physical health, Chinese American women reported the highest rates of headache, other pain, hypertension, heart diseases, heart attacks, chronic lung diseases, and asthma. Vietnamese American women reported the highest rates of ulcer, stroke, and diabetes. Filipino American women had the highest rates of cancers and epilepsy. In behavioral health, Filipino women ranked highest on all types of drug use and cigarette smoking, compared with their counterparts. In mental health, Filipino American women reported significantly better mental health self-rating compared with their Chinese and Vietnamese American counterparts. Asian American women from each ethnic group sought health services at distinct rates. However, the help-seeking patterns of health services are similar. CONCLUSIONS Asian American women encountered various physical, behavioral, and mental health problems, yet they had low rates of seeking healthcare services. Hence, it is critical to further examine factors associated with the underestimation of physical and mental health problems and underuse of health services by Asian American women.

Overall health and health care utilization among Latino American men in the United States.

Although the Latino American male population is increasing, the subgroup Latino men’s health remains underinvestigated. This study examined the overall pattern of Latino male health and health care utilization in major subgroups, using a nationally representative sample (N = 1,127) from the National Latino and Asian American Study. The authors evaluated rates of chronic, behavioral, and mental health service utilization in this first nationally representative survey. The results identified significant cross-subgroup differences in most physical and chronic conditions with Puerto Rican American men having high rates in 8 of 15 physical ailments, including life-altering conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. Despite differences in racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors, Cuban American men shared similar rates of heart diseases and cancer with Puerto Rican American men. In addition, Puerto Rican American men had higher rates of substance abuse than other Latinos. For health providers, the authors’ findings encourage awareness of subgroup differences regarding overall health issues of Latino American men to provide culturally appropriate care.

The Effects of Discrimination and Acculturation to Service Seeking Satisfaction for Latina and Asian American Women: Implications for Mental Health Professions

There is ample research showing that there are health disparities for minorities with respect to seeking mental health services in the United States. Although there are general barriers for minorities in seeking service health, minority women are more vulnerable due to their negative experiences and lower satisfaction in receiving health care, compared to men. This study utilized the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) data set, which is the first population-based mental health study on Latino and Asian Americans, to give a full description of Latina and Asian American womens experience in mental health service seeking and identifies the opportunities in increasing their satisfaction levels. The results showed that perceived discrimination attributed to gender or race/ethnicity is negatively predicting levels of satisfaction of mental health service seeking. Older age, higher education levels, longer duration in the United States, and better mental health, are positively related to satisfaction levels for Latina and Asian American women.

Chronic Conditions, Behavioral Health, and Use of Health Services Among Asian American Men The First Nationally Representative Sample

Although the Asian American population is increasing, Asian American men’s health remains underinvestigated. This study examined the overall pattern of their health and health care usage. Using a nationally representative sample (N = 998) from the National Latino and Asian American Study (2002-2003), the first comprehensive epidemiological survey, rates of chronic conditions, behavioral health, and mental health service utilization (e.g., general medical, specialty mental health, and any medical services) were computed. The ages ranged from 18 to 95 and the mean age was 41. Of the sample, there were no ethnic subgroup differences in most of the physical and chronic conditions, with the exception of allergies/hay fever, arthritis, asthma, and high blood pressure. Behavioral health problems and substance use varied among Asian American men with more Vietnamese American men reporting that they are current smokers and more Filipino American men reporting having ever used drugs and having higher rates of obesity. Levels of mental health status and health services–seeking behaviors also varied among Asian subgroups. Variations exist among the three subgroups of Asian American men with regard to chronic, behavioral, and mental health issues. The results provide greater understanding of the heterogeneity and relationships among the Asian American subgroups with respect to physical, behavioral, and mental health concerns. Similarities and differences in prevalence rates and use of health services must include examining the social context. Social factors such as immigration status, living environments, lifestyle, culture, and health insurance may help explain the variations among Asian American men.

Modeling the Post-9/11 Meaning-Laden Paradox: From Deep Connection and Deep Struggle to Posttraumatic Stress and Growth

The prospective study follows college students after the 9/11 attacks. Based on evidence and trauma-related theories, and guided by reports on positive and negative reactions and meaning-related actions among Americans after 9/11, we explored the seemingly contradictory, yet meaning-related pathways to posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTGD), indicating the sense of deep interconnectedness and deep conflict. The final model showed that 9/11 emotional turmoil triggered processes of assimilation, as indicated in pathways between prayer coping and perceived spiritual and social support, and of accommodation, as indicated in the pathway of spiritual struggle. Both pathways were directly associated with PTG in the follow-up. Perceived spiritual and social support contributed to lower levels of PTSD symptoms, whereas spiritual struggle had an opposite impact on symptoms; both effects were mediated through optimism but in opposite directions. The study suggests the interplay of complex crisis-related phenomena following meaning-laden collective trauma that presented existential challenges, involving coping, optimism, deep conflict, and deep interconnectedness.

Detrimental Effects of Discrimination on Mental Health in Asian Americans: Counteracting Roles of Religious Involvement

Few studies have examined the role of religious involvement as a potential protective factor in the mental health of Asian Americans. Using the first national sample from the National Latino and Asian American Study (2002–2003), this study explored the direct effect of religious attendance on the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and self-rated mental health in Asian Americans (n = 2,095), above and beyond that of discrimination and acculturation factors. Hierarchical regression models associated (a) gender and discrimination with generalized anxiety disorder, and (b) gender, employment status, English proficiency, and discrimination with self-rated mental health. Including religious attendance added explanatory power to both models, indicating its influence on mental health. There was no interaction between religious attendance and discrimination, suggesting a suppressing rather than stress-buffering effect of religious attendance. These patterns suggest future investigation in the relationship between religious involvement and mental health in relation to subcultural differences among Asian Americans.