Journal
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Volume 29, Issue 6, Pages 626-635Publisher
AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
DOI: 10.1037/a0021360
Keywords
education; well-being; affect; inflammation
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Funding
- National Institute on Aging [P01-AG020166]
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network
- General Clinical Research Centers Program [M01-RR023942, M01-RR00865]
- National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health [1UL1RR025011]
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Objective: To investigate whether psychosocial factors (i.e., depression, anxiety, and well-being) moderated educational gradients in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels using data from the Survey of Mid life Development in the U.S. (MIDUS). The influences of educational attainment and psychosocial factors on IL-6 in middle aged and older adults were also examined. Design: Telephone interviews and mail surveys were utilized to collect educational attainment and psychosocial information from respondents (N = 1028). Respondents also participated in an overnight clinic visit, during which health information and a fasting blood sample were obtained. Main Outcome Measures: Serum levels of IL-6. Results: Greater educational attainment predicted lower levels of IL-6 independent of age and gender, although this effect was attenuated after taking health behaviors, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and chronic illnesses into account. Psychological well-being interacted with education to predict IL-6, such that for those with less education, higher well-being was associated with lower levels of IL-6. Conclusion: The findings indicate a strong association between education and inflammation, which can be further moderated by psychosocial factors. The health benefits associated with psychological well-being were particularly evident for individuals with low educational attainment.
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