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History of Unemployment Predicts Future Elevations in C-Reactive Protein among Male Participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Unemployment is associated with risk of future morbidity and premature mortality.

Purpose

To examine whether unemployment history predicts future C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in male participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.

Methods

Unemployment, body mass index (BMI), and health behaviors were measured at 7, 10, and 15 years post-recruitment. CRP was measured at Years 7 and 15.

Results

Having a history of unemployment at Year 10 was associated with higher CRP at Year 15, independent of age, race, BMI, Year 7 CRP, Year 15 unemployment, and average income across Years 10–15. Poor health practices and depressive symptoms explained 22% of the association, but Year 10 unemployment history remained a significant predictor. Findings did not differ across age, race, education, or income.

Conclusions

Discrete episodes of unemployment may have long-term implications for future CRP levels.

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Acknowledgements

Work on this manuscript was supported by contracts with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Coordinating Center; N01-HC-95095 University of Alabama at Birmingham, Field Center; N01-HC-48047 University of Minnesota, Field Center; N01-HC-48048 Northwestern University, Field Center; N01-HC-4049 Kaiser Foundation Research Institute; N01-HC-48050 University of California, Irvine, Echocardiography Reading Center; N01-HC-45134 Harbor-UCLA research Education Institute and Computed Tomography Reading Center; N01-HC-05187 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and by the MacArthur Research Network on SES and Health through grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Preparation of the manuscript was also facilitated by the Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center (HL65111 & HL65112).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Denise Janicki-Deverts Ph.D. & Sheldon Cohen Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Karen A. Matthews Ph.D.

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Mark R. Cullen Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Denise Janicki-Deverts Ph.D.
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  2. Sheldon Cohen Ph.D.
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  3. Karen A. Matthews Ph.D.
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  4. Mark R. Cullen Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Denise Janicki-Deverts Ph.D..

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Janicki-Deverts, D., Cohen, S., Matthews, K.A. et al. History of Unemployment Predicts Future Elevations in C-Reactive Protein among Male Participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. ann. behav. med. 36, 176–185 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9056-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9056-5

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