Background
Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with poorer health, possibly through activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the association between SES and catecholamine levels, and variations by acculturation.
Methods
Three hundred one Mexican-American women underwent examination with a 12-h urine collection. Analyses tested associations of SES, acculturation (language and nativity), and their interaction with norepinephrine (NOREPI) and epinephrine (EPI).
Results
No main effects for SES or the acculturation indicators emerged. Fully adjusted models revealed a significant SES by language interaction for NOREPI (p < .01) and EPI (p < .05), and a SES by nativity interaction approached significance for NOREPI (p = .05). Simple slope analyses revealed that higher SES related to lower catecholamine levels in Spanish-speaking women, and higher NOREPI in English-speaking women. Although nonsignificant, similar patterns were observed for nativity.
Conclusions
Associations between SES and catecholamines may vary by acculturation, and cultural factors should be considered when examining SES health effects in Hispanics.