Racial Differences in Financial Hardship and Self-Rated Health among Middle-Age and Older Adults: Does Social Support Mediate the Association?

Abstract

University of Washington Abstract Racial Differences in Financial Hardship and Self-Rated Health among Middle-Age and Older Adults: Does Social Support Mediate the Association? Gillian L. Marshall Chair of Supervisory Committee: David Grembowski Health Systems and Population Health The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between four specific indicators of financial hardship (difficulty paying bills, food insecurity, reduced medication use due to cost, out-of-pocket expenses) and self-rated health (SRH) by race in a sample of older African Americans and White adults. A cross-sectional study using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Path analysis was used to examine the relationships between financial hardship and (SRH) and whether this relationship is mediated by social support. Results supported the hypothesis in that the main effect between all measures of financial hardship and SRH health are positively associated even after controlling for demographic and sociodemographic characteristics. Results also indicate that social support was related to better SRH among both older African American and White Americans. Social support also significantly mediates the relationships between all financial hardship measures and SRH for older adults: that is, positive support can offset some of the harmful effects of financial hardship on SRH. This research highlights the important role that expanded SES measures, such as financial hardship, play in the lives of older adult populations. It also highlights the differences in financial hardship and health and the impact of social support by racial group: African Americans and White Americans.