Roles of the Nucleus Accumbens (Shell) in the Acquisition and Expression of Morphine‑Induced Conditioned Behavior in Freely Moving Rats

Background: The current study examined race and ethnic differences in the separate and combined (additive) effects of anxiety, depression and problem drinking on the baseline and trajectory of subjective health among adult men in the United States. Methods: This longitudinal study used data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study. We included 4655 men, composed of 2407 Blacks, 1354 Hispanic Whites and 894 non-Hispanic Whites. The dependent variable was subjective health, measured four times (i.e., baseline, year 1, year 3 and year 5). Latent growth curve modeling was used for data analysis. When controlling for socio-economics, we tested separate effects of anxiety and depression. Then we tested combined effects of anxiety, depression and problem drinking. Results: Among all race and ethnic groups, anxiety and problem drinking were associated with baseline and associated trajectory of subjective health. Combined (additive) effects of anxiety and depression, however, varied based on race and ethnicity. Among Blacks, depression and anxiety were associated with a worse trajectory of subjective health. Among non-Hispanic Whites, anxiety was associated with a better baseline and worse trajectory of subjective health, while depression was associated with worse baseline subjective health. Among Hispanic Whites, anxiety was associated with a worse trajectory of subjective health, while depression was not associated with subjective health. Conclusions: Although separate effects ofanxiety, and problem drinking were similar among race and ethnic groups, race and ethnicity seemed to modify the combined effects of different mental health problem. These results warrant further exploration of these complex links.