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Background: Social connections are a basic need of all humans. Loneliness is a perceived lack of both quantity and quality of social relationships. Prior research demonstrates that loneliness increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and poor health outcomes. Although African American (AA) women are at greater risk than non-Hispanic White (NHW) women for CVD, the influence of social disadvantages on loneliness in AA women at risk for CVD have not been examined.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare protective and risk factors posited to predict loneliness in AA women and NHW women at risk for CVD.

Methods: A cross sectional sample of post-menopausal women (50 AA and 49 NHW) with at least two risk factors for CVD completed standardized measures of loneliness, depressive symptoms, financial stress, subjective social status, social support provisions, and resilience.

Results …