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K S Markides

Publications and source records attributed to K S Markides.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Acculturation and alcohol consumption in the Mexican American population of the southwestern United States: findings from HHANES 1982-84.

Data from the Southwestern sample of the Hispanic HANES are employed to evaluate the relationship of acculturation into the larger society with alcohol consumption. As in previous work, acculturation was not found to be related to alcohol consumption of Mexican American men, but was positively related to the consumption of younger Mexican American women. Among middle-aged women, acculturation was not important. However, we found evidence that middle-aged women might be turning to alcohol in response to marital disruption and poverty. In addition, middle-aged women who are not employed are less frequent drinkers but those who drink are heavier drinkers than employed women.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1989

Generational differences in the structure of the CES-D scale in Mexican Americans.

This study examines differences in the structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale across three generations of Mexican Americans. The covariance structure of the items was viewed as a function of several parameter matrices. Factorial invariance was evaluated by testing a series of hypotheses involving equivalence constraints on one or more parameter matrices. The findings revealed that the proposed 12-item model fits the data within each of the three generations adequately. Although no generational differences in factor loadings were revealed, structural variations of the CES-D in measurement error variances were found. Measurement error variances associated with certain items in the older generation are significantly greater than those in the middle-aged and young generations. In addition, socioeconomic characteristics, acculturation, and health status fail to explain the observed differences in the structure of the CES-D among the three generations.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Well-being in the postparental stage in Mexican-American women.

There has been limited research documenting the effects of the postparental stage of the family cycle in Mexican-American women. This study compared the psychological and physical well-being of middle-aged Mexican-American women from San Antonio who had children present in the home with those who no longer had any children present in the home (postparental). The findings are consistent with the results from studies with other groups that indicate that the postparental stage does not appear to have negative consequences on the psychological and physical well-being of women. However, employment appears to be associated with higher well-being regardless of the stage in the life cycle.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1989

Consequences of gender differentials in life expectancy for black and Hispanic Americans.

Increased survival by blacks and Hispanics is causing a widening of the sex imbalance of the elderly population much like we have observed in the general population. These demographic trends point toward greater widowhood among minority women and continuing high rates of poverty. In addition, we can expect increased rates of disability in minority elderly women, increased dependency, worsening intergenerational relationships, and higher rates of institutionalization.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1989

Exploring the persistent black risk of low birthweight: findings from the GLOWBS Study.

Results are presented from the Galveston Low Birthweight Survey (GLOWBS) Study, a tri-ethnic survey (N = 1,179) of live, single births, conducted in Galveston, Texas, from 1986 to 1987. Four principal findings emerged pointing to a persistent black risk for low birthweight (less than 2,500g). First, black infants (2,997g) have significantly lower mean birthweight than either Anglos (3,281g) or Hispanics (3,270g). Second, blacks are at significantly higher risk of low birthweight than nonblacks (risk ratio = 1.71). Third, despite controlling for a variety of pregnancy- and health-related, psychosocial, socioeconomic, and health services factors (including even gestational length), being black still exerts a significant, inverse effect on birthweight (beta = -0.137). Fourth, of the above factors only gestational length (R2 = 0.39) accounts for more than a negligible amount of the total variance in birthweight among blacks. These findings are discussed, and several lines of follow-up research are proposed.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1988

Differences in the structure of Life Satisfaction Index in three generations of Mexican Americans.

This study examines differences in the structure of seven Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) items across three generations of Mexican Americans. Viewing the covariance structure of the items as a function of several parameter matrices, we analyzed factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving equivalence constraints on one or more parameter matrices. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance. Differences in the factorial structure of the LSI were found between the older generation and the other two generations (i.e., the middle-age and younger generations). These differences persisted even when generational differences in education, income, and acculturation were taken into account. Further analyses revealed that generational differences were contained in only one (i.e., congruence) of the three first- comparisons in the other two dimensions (i.e., zest and mood tone) are appropriate.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Depressive symptoms among Mexican Americans: a three-generation study.

The distribution of depressive symptoms and rates of high depressive symptomatology are examined with data from a three-generation study of 1,074 Mexican Americans conducted in San Antonio, Texas, during 1981 and 1982. The purpose of this analysis is to contribute to the available data on the mental health status of Mexican Americans as well as to compare the effects of several relevant sociodemographic factors on prevalence of depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in different generations. In general, previous findings with respect to the associations between sociodemographic variables and depressive symptoms are replicated, although this sample of Mexican Americans experiences comparatively low levels of depressive symptoms, particularly among males. However, the results indicate that interaction effects may exist between generations and other relevant variables typically found to be related to distribution of depressive symptoms in the general population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Acculturation and alcohol consumption among Mexican Americans: a three-generation study.

Data from a three-generation study of Mexican Americans conducted in the San Antonio, Texas area are utilized to examine the influence of acculturation into the larger society on alcohol consumption. Acculturation was not related to alcohol consumption in the older generation. In the middle generation, it was related to lower alcohol consumption among men, as well as among women. In the younger generation, acculturation was related to more drinking among women, but not among men. Within-family analysis showed that the alcohol consumption of members of the younger generation was associated with the consumption of their parents, particularly in the case of younger women.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The relationship between hostility, smoking, and alcohol consumption in Mexican Americans.

We examined the effect of hostility on smoking and alcohol consumption using data from a three-generation study of Mexican Americans. The irritability subscale of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory was used as the measure of hostility. Moderate associations were found between alcohol consumption and irritability scores among middle- and younger-generation females, with generally weaker or nonsignificant associations found in males. Smoking was moderately associated with irritability in middle- and younger-generation females and in younger-generation males. Differences in results by generation and gender are discussed as well as implications for future research.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Change in subjective age among the elderly: an eight-year longitudinal study.

Changes in subjective age were investigated with a sample of older Mexican Americans and Anglos over an 8-year period (1976-1984). It was found that people who changed from youthful ("young" or "middle-aged") to old ("old" or "very old") subjective ages were significantly different than persons retaining youthful subjective ages on several factors: they were chronologically older, were more likely to be Mexican Americans, and had reported declines in their self-assessed health. These were the exact same differences observed cross-sectionally which renews faith in cross-sectional data in this area. A few people reversed their subjective ages (from old to youthful) over time, but we found no evidence that they had experienced improvements in their health or social situation.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Smoking among Mexican Americans: a three-generation study.

Smoking behavior was investigated with data from a three-generation study of Mexican Americans in San Antonio, Texas. Rates of smoking among the men were found to be higher than rates for other White men obtained in previous studies, while rates for women were slightly lower than those reported for other White women. However, the percentage of light smokers was considerably higher among Mexican Americans than among other groups. There was no evidence that acculturation was a consistent predictor of greater likelihood of smoking. However, there was evidence that the smoking behavior of younger Mexican Americans, particularly the women, was associated with the smoking behavior of their parents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Alcohol consumption and physical symptoms in a Mexican American population.

The negative health consequences of alcohol consumption are well established. The present study examines whether alcohol consumption is also associated with a series of self-reported physical symptoms. Analyses were performed on data from a three-generation study of Mexican Americans. Using four measures of alcohol consumption we found that alcohol consumption was related to physical symptoms only in the younger generation. While drinking levels in the older generation did not have sufficient variance to enable the assessment of their effects on symptoms, drinking levels in the middle generation were comparable to those in the younger generation. We hypothesized that the lack of association in the middle generation may reflect increased tolerance due to longer exposure to alcohol, to possible reduction of alcohol consumption by some middle-aged persons because of health problems, and to due possible removal from observation of certain middle-aged men whose heavy drinking led to health problems. Although alcohol consumption in the younger generation was not strongly associated with either psychosomatic or infectious symptoms, it was strongly related to upper respiratory symptoms among younger males. Among younger women, alcohol consumption was moderately related to physical symptoms with no symptom constellation having a particularly strong association with alcohol consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Sources of helping and intergenerational solidarity: a three-generations study of Mexican Americans.

Sources of help and advice (other than one's spouse) and degree of intergenerational solidarity were investigated in a three-generation sample of Mexican Americans. It was found that elderly Mexican Americans are involved in strong helping networks with their children who rely a great deal on them for advice and help. In all three generations, there is a predominance of family as sources of support. Women are relied on for help regarding health matters and men regarding home repairs and upkeep. Help and advice regarding financial problems and personal problems fall primarily along same-sex lines. Scales measuring intergenerational solidarity, showed that all-female dyads have greater associational solidarity than all-male and cross-sex dyads. Few differences appear in affectual solidarity which was uniformly high. Finally, there appears to be minimum association and intergenerational helping between grandparents and grandchildren.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Minority status, aging, and mental health.

Research findings on mental health and life satisfaction among aged blacks, Mexican-Americans and native Americans are reviewed. Although the literature has generally followed a social stress perspective that predicts greater mental health problems among minority group aged, the evidence shows that mental health and life satisfaction of these groups is not any lower than might be anticipated based on their relative socioeconomic standing. It is concluded that, despite increased research, little is known about how ethnicity and minority group status influence psychopathology and life satisfaction in late life.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1985

Intergenerational solidarity and psychological well-being among older Mexican Americans: a three-generations study.

The influence of intergenerational solidarity (association and affection) on the psychological well-being of older Mexican Americans was investigated with data from a three-generations study. Perceived affection with grandchildren was an important positive predictor of well-being. Affection with children and association with either children or grandchildren, however, were not positively related to well-being. In fact, association with children was related to greater depression among the elderly adults. This unexpected finding might be the result of dependency of elderly people on their children, which is positively correlated with both association and depression. The addition of a measure of dependency to the analysis, however, failed to explain the positive relationship between association and depression.

Adult↗