TY - JOUR
T1 - Unravelling the Glasgow effect
T2 - The relationship between accumulative bio- psychosocial stress, stress reactivity and Scotland's health problems
AU - Cowley, Joe
AU - Kiely, John
AU - Collins, Dave
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016
PY - 2016/12/1
Y1 - 2016/12/1
N2 - To date, multiple hypotheses have been proposed for the Scottish effect and, more specifically, Glasgow's high mortality rate and the associated Glasgow effect. Previous authors have highlighted the improbability of a single factor as responsible for this effect with seventeen possible hypotheses presented. These have ranged from socio-economic factors, lifestyle and cultural factors such as sectarianism, and political and economic factors. Although these may all be contributory factors to this paradox, the underpinning reasons for the observed effect remain relatively unexplained. In this paper, we suggest that the compounding effect of a unique blend of accumulating life stressors may predispose Scots, and particularly socially-disadvantaged Glaswegians, to a wide-range of health disorders. In short, a confluence of social, environmental, attitudinal and cultural stressors perhaps combine to negatively influence biological health. Future directions should consider the stress remediating role of physical activity, and the problems presented by barriers to participation in physical activity and exercise during key transitional stages of life.
AB - To date, multiple hypotheses have been proposed for the Scottish effect and, more specifically, Glasgow's high mortality rate and the associated Glasgow effect. Previous authors have highlighted the improbability of a single factor as responsible for this effect with seventeen possible hypotheses presented. These have ranged from socio-economic factors, lifestyle and cultural factors such as sectarianism, and political and economic factors. Although these may all be contributory factors to this paradox, the underpinning reasons for the observed effect remain relatively unexplained. In this paper, we suggest that the compounding effect of a unique blend of accumulating life stressors may predispose Scots, and particularly socially-disadvantaged Glaswegians, to a wide-range of health disorders. In short, a confluence of social, environmental, attitudinal and cultural stressors perhaps combine to negatively influence biological health. Future directions should consider the stress remediating role of physical activity, and the problems presented by barriers to participation in physical activity and exercise during key transitional stages of life.
KW - Biopsychosocial stress
KW - Glasgow effect
KW - Physical activity
KW - Scottish effect
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84982796282&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.08.004
DO - 10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.08.004
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84982796282
SN - 2211-3355
VL - 4
SP - 370
EP - 375
JO - Preventive Medicine Reports
JF - Preventive Medicine Reports
ER -