Over the limit: the association among health, race and debt

P Drentea; P J Lavrakas

doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00298-1

Over the limit: the association among health, race and debt

Soc Sci Med. 2000 Feb;50(4):517-29. doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00298-1.

Authors

P Drentea¹, P J Lavrakas

Affiliation

¹ Department of Sociology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, 35294-3350, USA. pdrentea@uab.edu

PMID: 10641804
DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00298-1

Abstract

This research responds to the call for more research on the conceptualization and measurement of socio-economic status that moves beyond merely considering education, occupation and income variables. Credit card usage and credit card debt is a growing phenomenon in developed countries. Using data from a 1997 representative sample of more than 900 adults in Ohio, we explored how credit card debt and stress regarding debt is associated with health. We found that both credit card debt and stress regarding debt are associated with health. In addition, health behaviors and risks explain part of this association.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Bankruptcy / statistics & numerical data*
Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
Female
Health Status*
Humans
Male
Models, Statistical
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress, Psychological / epidemiology*
United States
White People / statistics & numerical data*