Relationship of social and economic factors to mental disorders among population-based samples of Jamaicans and Guyanese

BACKGROUND: There have been growing concerns about increasing mental health problems in the Caribbean region. This study explores rates and factors associated with selected mental health disorders within 2 Caribbean countries: Jamaica and Guyana. METHODS: Probability samples of 1218 Jamaicans and 2068 Guyanese participants were used. A modified version of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WHO CIDI) defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) was administered in order to assess lifetime mental disorders. Descriptive statistics, χ(2) and hierarchical regression analytic procedures were used to examine rates and factors associated with mental disorders. RESULTS: Rates of mental health conditions were different across contexts and were generally higher for Guyanese compared with Jamaicans for alcohol abuse (3.6% vs 2.2%), drug abuse (1.4% vs 1.3%), substance abuse (4.7% vs 2.7%) and mania (0.4% vs 0.1%). The rate of depression, however, was higher among Jamaicans than Guyanese (7.4% vs 4.1%). There were also noticeable differences in rates in both countries, due to social and economic factors, with social factors playing a larger contributory role in the mental health status of individuals across countries. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest the need for more indepth analyses of factors contributing to mental health conditions of peoples within the Caribbean region, including the influence of additional sources of stress, quality of care and help-seeking behaviours of individuals

Physical Intimate Partner Violence, Childhood Physical Abuse and Mental Health of U.S. Caribbean Women: The Interrelationship of Social, Contextual, and Migratory Influences

The literature has shown an increased risk for mental health conditions among victims of domestic violence. Few studies have examined the relationship between mental health disorders and domestic violence among Caribbean women, and how the association might be influenced by migratory and contextual factors. This study addresses the mental well-being of U.S. Caribbean Black women victims of domestic violence, and the relationships between acculturation, discrimination, and demographic influences. An analysis of data from the 2001–2003 National Survey of American Life (NSAL) re-interview, the first and most complete study on U.S. Caribbean Blacks, was conducted. Bivariate analysis revealed an association between acts of physical domestic violence and mental health conditions, with generally higher risk among women who reported both severe physical intimate partner violence and childhood physical abuse. Multivariate logistic regression indicates an association between specific mental disorders and acts of domestic violence. Acculturation, length of residence in the United States, age, education, poverty, and country of origin were also associated with mental health. The study highlights future directions for exploration including additional investigation of the influence of acculturation on the physical health of victims of domestic violence

Substance Use, Mental Disorders and Physical Health of Caribbeans at-Home Compared to Those Residing in the United States

This study compares the health conditions of domestic Caribbeans with those living in the United States to explore how national context and migration experiences might influence substance use (i.e., alcohol or drug) and other mental and physical health conditions. The study is based upon probability samples of non-institutionalized Caribbeans living in the United States (1621), Jamaica (1216) and Guyana (2068) 18 years of age and over. Employing descriptive statistics and multivariate analytic procedures, the results revealed that substance use and other physical health conditions and major depressive disorder and mania vary by national context, with higher rates among Caribbeans living in the United States. Context and generation status influenced health outcomes. Among first generation black Caribbeans, residing in the United States for a longer length of time is linked to poorer health outcomes. There were different socio-demographic correlates of health among at-home and abroad Caribbeans. The results of this study support the need for additional research to explain how national context, migratory experiences and generation status contribute to understanding substance use and mental disorders and physical health outcomes among Caribbean first generation and descendants within the United States, compared to those remaining in the Caribbean region

Prevalence and correlates of physical health conditions in Jamaica and Guyana

The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases remains an important source of concern in the Caribbean and Latin American regions. This study examines rates and the associated socio- demographic correlates of physical health indicators in Jamaica and Guyana. Area probability cross- sectional data were collected on 1,218 Jamaicans and 2,068 Guyanese participants in 2005. Physician- diagnosed hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and self-rated oral and general physical health were assessed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and hierarchical logistic regression analytic procedures. Jamaicans generally reported poorer physical health, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and overall perceived oral and physical health compared to Guyanese; Guyanese reported higher rates of hypertension. Generally, lower social and economic standing was associated with poorer health conditions but made different contributions across countries. The study highlights the need for greater awareness and access to health care services for individuals who are especially vulnerable to poorer health. The results of this study suggest the need for additional studies on factors associated with physical health conditions, including a better understanding of the role of race/ethnicity in the Caribbean

SIRT1 Promotes N-Myc Oncogenesis through a Positive Feedback Loop Involving the Effects of MKP3 and ERK on N-Myc Protein Stability

The N-Myc oncoprotein is a critical factor in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis which requires additional mechanisms converting a low-level to a high-level N-Myc expression. N-Myc protein is stabilized when phosphorylated at Serine 62 by phosphorylated ERK protein. Here we describe a novel positive feedback loop whereby N-Myc directly induced the transcription of the class III histone deacetylase SIRT1, which in turn increased N-Myc protein stability. SIRT1 binds to Myc Box I domain of N-Myc protein to form a novel transcriptional repressor complex at gene promoter of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP3), leading to transcriptional repression of MKP3, ERK protein phosphorylation, N-Myc protein phosphorylation at Serine 62, and N-Myc protein stabilization. Importantly, SIRT1 was up-regulated, MKP3 down-regulated, in pre-cancerous cells, and preventative treatment with the SIRT1 inhibitor Cambinol reduced tumorigenesis in TH-MYCN transgenic mice. Our data demonstrate the important roles of SIRT1 in N-Myc oncogenesis and SIRT1 inhibitors in the prevention and therapy of N-Myc–induced neuroblastoma

Extending disidentification theory: The effects of stereotype threat on the self-concept, academic engagement, and school performance of African American and Latino high school students

In elementary and secondary schools across the country, disproportionate numbers of African American students are performing below expected levels (Farkas 2003). Many researchers have explored the issue of African American academic underperformance (Sorenson and Hallinan 1977; Wilson 1987; Coleman 1988; Heiss 1996; Ogbu 1994). Yet most models are unable to account for the academic underperformance of African American students across social categories and contexts. ^ Disidentification theory has broader utility than many explanations of academic underachievement. Supporting research suggests that stereotype threat is a common factor in the schooling experience of African Americans that erodes academic outcomes. Stereotype threat is the event of a negative stereotype of one\u27s group being perceived as self-relevant and potentially harming performance. Previous studies have suggested that stereotype threat causes lowered school performance. Studies have also shown that stereotype threat leads to academic disidentification: a phenomenon in which the student makes academic identity less important to overall self-definition (Steele and Aronson 1995; Osbourne 1995). ^ In this study, I investigate the effects of stereotype threat on a racially diverse sample of high school students in the Northeast. Unlike most disidentification research, I employ self-report measures of stereotype threat. I also investigate the moderating effects of racial identity and gender on the effects of stereotype threat. The results offer support for the major ideas of disidentification theory. Specifically, the study finds that stereotype threat diminishes the school related self-concept of African American students. It also finds that stereotype threat exacts a negative toll on the academic engagement of African American and Latino students, and that racial identity and gender do not moderate the effect of stereotype threat on academic engagement.