ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2018, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (8): 1475-1487.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2018.01475

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Allosatic load and its relationship with socioeconomic health disparities

YANG Yang1, SUN Ling1, ZHANG Hongchuan1(), HUANG Silin2, ZHU Xiao1   

  1. 1 School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China
    2 Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
  • Received:2017-05-10 Online:2018-08-15 Published:2018-07-02
  • Contact: ZHANG Hongchuan E-mail:hongchuan.zhang@cufe.edu.cn

Abstract:

Individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are exposed to more stressful events but have less coping resources compared to those on higher ranks. They are hence more prone to a variety of diseases from the fetus to the elderly. Allostatic load (AL) provides an effective index to such cumulative effect of chronic stress on interconnected biological systems. Research revealed that AL is sensitive to changes in SES. The moderating and mediating factors between SES and AL include environmental risks, social support, psychological characteristics and life style. We propose that investigations on AL may shed light into understanding and intervention of disadvantaged populations in China.

Key words: allostatic load, socioeconomic status, stress, physical and mental health

CLC Number: