Personal Control Level and Change as Predictors of Inflammatory Dysregulation

Personal Control Level and Change as Predictors of Inflammatory Dysregulation Public Deposited

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Johnson, Moira
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Sociology

Abstract

Biological mechanisms linking individual sense of control to physical health outcomes remain understudied. Research offers reason to expect that chronic low-grade inflammation may account for some of the association between sense of control and morbidity. To better understand why and how personal control affects patterns of health disparities, this thesis evaluates whether level and change in the sense of control predict three biomarkers of inflammation using data from the Midlife in US Study. Findings show that average sense of control predicts levels of interleukin-6, and that sense of control mediates the association between income and inflammation. The positive association involving sense of control is stronger at lower income levels, particularly for men. Positive change in sense of control over time provides an additional protective effect against elevated IL6, but this association is not mediated or moderated by SES.

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