Depressive Symptoms and Disability Risk Among Older White and Latino Adults by Nativity Status

Abstract

Objective: To examine how the relationship between depressive symptoms and disability may vary by nativity status in later life.

Method: This nationally representative prospective study of community-dwelling adults age 51 years and older in the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2010) used hierarchical linear modeling to examine how depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Symptoms of Depression) and disability (instrumental activities of daily living [IADL]; activities of daily living [ADL]) vary by nativity status (U.S.- vs. foreign-born), accounting for changes in social support, health behaviors, and health conditions.

Results: Depressive symptoms were associated with increased IADL and ADL disability among Latinos compared with Whites; foreign-born Latinos had lower than expected depressive symptom-related IADL and ADL (0.82; p ≤ .001) disability.

Discussion: Given that U.S.-born Latinos had similar or poorer depressive symptom-related disability outcomes than Whites, interventions focused on early detection and treatment of depressive symptoms for this group are warranted and may improve disablement outcomes.

Keywords: activities of daily living (ADL); depression; health paradox; instrumental activities of daily living (IADL); minority health.