Relationship of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression with Hair Cortisol and Cardiovascular Health in African American women dementia family Caregivers

Abstract

Introduction: Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease/dementia can significantly increase physical and emotional stress, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease. This project investigated the relationship between hair cortisol, caregiver stress, cardiovascular health (systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure [MAP]), depression, and anxiety in African American women dementia caregivers. Methods: Baseline data were taken from a feasibility pilot randomized controlled trial of a mind-body intervention to reduce stress and cardiovascular risk factors for African American women dementia caregivers. Scalp hair samples were taken to measure the stress hormone cortisol. Stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Blood pressure was measured using Omron HEM-907XL monitors by trained research team members, and results were used to calculate the MAP, an indicator of cardiovascular health. Study visits were conducted in participants' homes or at Ohio State's College of Nursing. Results: Out of 28 participants, 15 provided hair samples. The average age of participants was 62.4 (standard deviation, 8.67) years, with 71.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. There were no significant correlations between hair cortisol and stress, anxiety, depression, blood pressure, or MAP. A significant correlation was found between stress and depression (r= 0.55, p= 0.05), stress and anxiety (r= 0.77, p < 0.01), and anxiety and depression (r= 0.70, p= 0.01). Conclusion: The results indicate significant correlations between stress, depression, and anxiety, but no correlations with hair cortisol or blood pressure and MAP. Future studies should include a larger sample size to examine further factors associated with dementia, caregiver stress, and cardiovascular health.No embargoAcademic Major: Nursin