Katharina Buczek
Interestingly, there was a cumulative effect as well– with each mental health asset adding an additional 12% likelihood of maintaining strong cardiometabolic health.
The researchers also noted that the largest health benefits were found among Black teens– who reported possessing more positive mental health assets than teens of any other ethnic or racial group.
In spite of this finding, though, there were still apparent racial cardiometabolic health disparities in adulthood. In other words, Black individuals were found to be the least likely to maintain strong cardiometabolic health over the long term.
“These somewhat counterintuitive findings were surprising. When we dug deeper, we found that the absence of psychological assets was particularly health-damaging for Black youth,” explained Qureshi.
“For Black youth– who face numerous barriers to achieving and sustaining optimal cardiometabolic health in adulthood– not having these additional mental health resources makes a big difference.”
So now, the researchers have advocated for larger studies that monitor positive health factors which begin in childhood. That way, medical professionals can gain a further understanding of how they may influence health and disease in the long term. Moreover, how improvements can be made to healthcare that reduce disparities.
To read the study’s complete findings, visit the link here.
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