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Acculturation and Depressive Symptoms Among Mexican American Elders New to the Caregiving Role: Results From the Hispanic-EPESE

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics associated with becoming a caregiver among Mexican American (MA) elders and to examine predictors of depressive symptoms among the new caregivers 2 years later. METHOD: Drawn from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE), 152 MA recent caregivers and 2,023 other MAs were compared. Residualized change regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: At baseline, MAs who had recently become caregivers exhibited a significantly greater number of depressive symptoms compared to those who had not. Controlling for background characteristics, physical health, social support, and baseline depressive symptoms, regression analysis revealed that 2 years later higher acculturation was related to a greater number of depressive symptoms among those who at baseline were new caregivers. DISCUSSION: Better knowledge of the within-group differences among MA elderly caregivers, especially with respect to acculturation, may better inform interventions for this at-risk group.

Source: Journal of Aging and Health

DOI: 10.1177/0898264310380454

Authors: Elizabeth A. Hahn, Giyeon Kim, David A. Chiriboga

Institutions: University of South Florida, University of Alabama

Language: English

Topic: Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities