Date of Award

2024-12-01

Degree Name

M.P.H.

Department

Public Health

Advisor(s)

Jeannie B. Concha

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been increasing in the US over recent years. Individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and developed maladaptive coping strategies are at increased risk of developing MetS. Hispanic men might have an increased risk of developing MetS due to higher exposure to ACEs and increased use of maladaptive coping strategies.Purpose: To examine the relationship between ACEs, coping, and MetS among Mexican-American men. Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional study of 100 adult men from El Paso, Texas in 2018-19. ACEs were examined using the 10-item ACE questionnaire. Coping was assessed through eight self-regulatory coping behaviors (SRCBs). MetS was assessed by measuring waist circumference, blood pressure, HbA1c, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Odds ratios were conducted to examine the independent relationship between the variables of interest, and multiple logistic regression was conducted to investigate the best predictive model. Results: Though lacking statistical significance, the mean ACE score was slightly higher for the participants who utilized the SRCBs of eating more than usual (m=3.419), prayer (m=3.641), social support (3.688), and seeking advice from a counselor (m=3.548) than those who did not utilize these SRCBs. Meanwhile, those who utilized the SRCBs of alcohol (m=3.339), drugs (m=3.357), smoking cigarettes (m=3.231), and heavy exercise (m=3.353) had a slightly lower mean ACE score than those who did not utilize these SRCBs. Men with an ACE score of four or more had higher odds of having MetS than those with an ACE score of 0-3 (OR = 1.213; 95% CI = 0.529, 2.782). Participants with MetS had higher percentages of using health-harming SRCBs, including alcohol use (55.6%), drug use (56.0%), eating more than usual (58.5%), and smoking cigarettes (52.0%), than those who did not have MetS. However, participants with MetS also had higher percentages of using health-promoting SRCBs, including heavy exercise (59.4%), prayer (63.9%), social support (65.6%), and seeking advice from a counselor (63.3%), than those who did not have MetS. The participants who use alcohol (OR = 0.625; 95% CI = 0.266, 1.470), drugs (OR = 0.788; 95% CI = 0.311, 1.995), eating more than usual (OR = 0.925; 95% CI = 0.396, 2.162), smoking cigarettes (OR = 0.619; 95% CI = 0.244, 1.571), and heavy exercise (OR = 0.893; 95% CI = 0.363, 2.199) to cope have lower odds of having MetS compared to those who do not use these SRCBs to cope. The participants who use prayer (OR = 1.460; 95% CI = 0.606, 3.518), social support (OR = 1.905; 95% CI = 0.797, 4.552), and who seek help from a counselor, minister, or other professional person (OR = 1.283; 95% CI = 0.522, 3.154) to cope have higher odds of having MetS compared to those who do not use these SRCBs to cope. Men with an ACE score of four or more were more likely to have MetS than those with an ACE score of 0-3 (OR = 1.213; 95% CI = 0.529, 2.782). Overall, 64.2% of MetS cases were correctly predicted, given the model, including ACE score and SRCBs. However, ACE score and SRCBs are not independently associated with MetS (p=0.806). Conclusions: Despite a lack of statistical significance, the results demonstrated utilizing certain SRCBs makes an individual more likely to have MetS. The lack of significant findings might be attributed to the fact that this sample was mostly highly educated, medically insured, and employed full-time. Additionally, the analysis may not have adequate power to demonstrate statistical significance. Recommendations: Research investigating metabolic syndrome may consider using a biopsychosocial model to integrate both psychological and coping behavioral factors as necessary factors to intervene upon men who have experienced ACEs. Additionally, a large, randomized sample with equal sample sizes of Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals to increase diversity in SES and responses to the utilization of SRCBs.

Language

en

Provenance

Recieved from ProQuest

File Size

63 p.

File Format

application/pdf

Rights Holder

Paulina Torres

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