| The present study evaluated risk factors for hypertension among 98 older, urban Samoans. High blood pressure was the most commonly reported health problem among older Samoans living in San Diego, California. Past research explored the health of modernizing Samoans in Samoa, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland and established relationships between blood pressure amd increases in obesity, psychosocial stress, diminished social support resources, and culture change.; Present research used the social ecology method for outlining the transactions between individuals and their social environments. By highlighting such transactions, broad-based analyses of demographic, social, cultural, behavioral, and physiological variables enabled closer scrutiny of associations related to blood pressure. Social support was evaluated in relation to blood pressure for its ability to: (1) reduce the negative side effects of psychosocial stress, which results in heightened well-being and an increased capacity for resisting stress-related disease (indirect effects); and (2) promote healthier blood pressure regardless of stress (direct effects).; Discriminant function analysis was used to distinguish the differences between those with high and normal blood pressure. Regression modeling techniques were employed to show the interaction of social support with other independent variables. Results demonstrated that obesity, sodium intake, behaviors related to sodium use, and social support factors showed significant associations with blood pressure.; Although risks for high blood pressure were shown to be predominantly associated with physical measures, important social support factors were reduced social network involvement, reduced esteem and material support, and reduced communication with relatives and friends in the modern setting. Culture change was not shown to be directly involved in predisposing elders to high blood pressure; however, the increases in obesity coupled with reductions in social support and social contact were indicative of problems associated with living in modern environments. |
