Depression, Metabolic Syndrome, and Locus of Control in Arab Americans Living in the DC Metropolitan Area: A Structural Equation Model
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Nawar Shara; Soleman H. Abu-Bader; Alexander Zeymo; Barbara V. Howard; Zeid Abudiab; Asqual Getaneh; Jason G. Umans
- Source
- Journal of immigrant and minority health. 20(4)
- Subject
- Gerontology
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Epidemiology
Health Status
Population
Health Behavior
Emigrants and Immigrants
030209 endocrinology & metabolism
Comorbidity
Structural equation modeling
Article
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
medicine
Humans
Body Weights and Measures
030212 general & internal medicine
education
Depression (differential diagnoses)
Internal-External Control
Metabolic Syndrome
education.field_of_study
business.industry
Depression
Public health
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
medicine.disease
Metropolitan area
United States
Arabs
Locus of control
Socioeconomic Factors
District of Columbia
Female
Metabolic syndrome
business
Demography
- Language
- ISSN
- 1557-1920
BACKGROUND: Arab Americans have high prevalences of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depression. Depression and external locus of control (LOC) may worsen MetS. METHODS: We examined the relationship between depression and MetS with a convenience sample of 136 Arab Americans living in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Participants were surveyed with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control questionnaire and the Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Laboratory measurements were collected based on the components of MetS. A structural equation model was used to explore the relationship between MetS and depression through analysis of LOC. RESULTS: MetS was significantly correlated with external LOC (powerful others and chance), and depression was correlated with a weak internal LOC. CONCLUSIONS: Future study of the effect of LOC on health outcomes in Arab Americans may be used to mitigate MetS and depression in this population.