EXPLORING RESILIENCE IN OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH ADVANCED CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE - Issue S2 - Abstract

Q: Why is CKD resilience important to study in older African Americans?

CKD prevalence increases with age, and racial disparities affect progression. Existing research highlights the role of contextual social stressors in health, but little was known about resilience in older Black adults with CKD.

Q: How were resilience levels measured and what were the main findings?

Resilience was assessed using data from a larger CKD decisional conflict study with 124 older Black adults. Resilience levels were typical overall (M=3.10, SD=.56).

Q: What do the findings suggest about resilience and what should future research focus on?

The results suggest resilience may be a response to managing multiple health conditions rather than a protective factor against comorbidity burden. Future studies should examine mechanisms behind resilience and their implications for health outcomes and targeted interventions.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by ahduag

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence rises with age, and racial disparities shape progression, with Black individuals at substantially higher risk of kidney failure than Whites. This study examined resilience in older African Americans with advanced CKD, noting prior gaps in this population. Data from 124 older Black adults recruited from an outpatient nephrology clinic showed typical resilience levels, with resilience associated with greater comorbidity burden but unrelated to other clinical or demographic factors. Results suggest resilience may reflect coping with multiple conditions, informing future targeted interventions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background and Rationale

Study Objective

Methods and Sample

Data Source and Participants

Results

Resilience Levels and Correlates

Regression Findings

Implications and Future Directions

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 401 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.1365 EXPLORING RESILIENCE IN OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH ADVANCED CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE Tyrone Hamler1, Seungjong Cho2, Tabitha Pederson1, and Pilar Ingle1, 1. University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States, 2. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects about 1 in 7 individuals in the U.S., with prevalence increasing with age. Nearly 50% of those over 75 have CKD. Beyond age, racial disparities impact disease progression, with Black individuals nearly four times more likely to develop kidney failure than Whites. This study examined resilience among older African Americans with advanced CKD. While resilience is recognized as a positive adaptation to adversity, researchers highlight the need to explore contextual factors influencing resilience, as chronic social stressors can negatively affect health. No known studies have examined resilience in older Black adults with CKD. Data were drawn from a larger study on decisional conflict in CKD among older Black adults recruited from an outpatient nephrology clinic in the Midwest. Among participants (N=124), resilience levels were typical (M=3.10, SD = .56). At the bivariate level, resilience correlated with more comorbidities (r = .20, p < .001). An OLS regression confirmed this association, while resilience was unrelated to other clinical or demographic variables. These findings suggest that resilience may be a response to managing multiple health conditions rather than a protective factor against comorbidities. Future research should explore mechanisms underlying resilience and their implications for health outcomes. Understanding these relationships can inform targeted interventions that foster resilience while addressing the unique challenges faced by older Black adults with CKD. Addressing both social and clinical determinants of health is critical in addressing disparities and improving well-being in this population.

FAQs

Why is CKD resilience important to study in older African Americans?

CKD prevalence increases with age, and racial disparities affect progression. Existing research highlights the role of contextual social stressors in health, but little was known about resilience in older Black adults with CKD.

How were resilience levels measured and what were the main findings?

Resilience was assessed using data from a larger CKD decisional conflict study with 124 older Black adults. Resilience levels were typical overall (M=3.10, SD=.56).

What relationship did resilience have with comorbidities and other variables?

At the bivariate level, resilience correlated with more comorbidities (r=.20, p<.001), and an OLS regression confirmed the association. Resilience was unrelated to other clinical or demographic variables.

What do the findings suggest about resilience and what should future research focus on?

The results suggest resilience may be a response to managing multiple health conditions rather than a protective factor against comorbidity burden. Future studies should examine mechanisms behind resilience and their implications for health outcomes and targeted interventions.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by ahduag