Depression, Metabolic Syndrome, and Locus of Control in Arab Americans Living in the DC Metropolitan Area: A
Nawar M Shara1,2, Alexander Zeymo3, Zeid Abudiab3
1MedStar Health Research Institute, 6525 Belcrest Road, Suite 700, Hyattsville, MD, 20782, USA. Nawar.Shara@MedStar.net.
Abstract:
Arab Americans have high prevalences of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depression. Depression and external locus of control (LOC) may worsen MetS. We examined the relationship between depression and MetS with a convenience sample of 136 Arab Americans living in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Participants were surveyed with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control questionnaire and the Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Laboratory measurements were collected based on the components of MetS. A structural equation model was used to explore the relationship between MetS and depression through analysis of LOC. MetS was significantly correlated with external LOC (powerful others and chance), and depression was correlated with a weak internal LOC. Future study of the effect of LOC on health outcomes in Arab Americans may be used to mitigate MetS and depression in this population.
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