Exploring Ethnic Variation in the Relationship Between Stress, Social Networks, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Black Americans

Marshall-Fabien, Gillian L.; Miller, David B.

doi:10.1177/0095798414562067

Cited by 17 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Consistent with findings from previous research, both cross-sectional ( Marshall-Fabien & Miller, 2014 ) and longitudinal ( English et al, 2014 ), we found that more frequent experiences of everyday discrimination are associated with more depressive symptoms in older African Americans over time. These findings suggest that everyday discrimination can be perceived as a stressor that negatively affects mental health.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Despite that fewer studies focused on older adults, one study using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) found that everyday discrimination was associated with more frequent depressive symptoms among older African Americans, who also reported higher rates of both lifetime and everyday discrimination than older whites and Hispanics ( Ayalon & Gum, 2011 ). Everyday discrimination is also strongly associated with more frequent symptoms of psychological distress ( Nguyen, Taylor et al, 2017 ) and depressive symptoms ( Marshall-Fabien & Miller, 2014 ) among older adults in the NSAL. Some evidence suggests that among older adults, everyday discrimination, as a chronic stressor, is more strongly associated with mental health outcomes than major lifetime discrimination ( Ayalon & Gum, 2011 ).…”

Section: Background and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Social Support, Everyday Discrimination, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older African Americans: A Longitudinal Study

Qin

Nguyen

Mouzon

et al. 2020

Innovation in Aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Objectives The purpose of the study is to explore the long-term effects of everyday discrimination on depressive symptoms among older African Americans, as well as the moderating role of social support in this association. Research Design and Methods Mixed-effects negative binomial regression analyses were performed on data selected from six waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2016; baseline N=1144). The number of depressive symptoms was calculated based on an 8-item CES-D measure. Everyday discrimination was measured by using a 6-item scale. Contact with and perceived support from extended family and friends were assessed. Results Older African Americans who experienced more frequent perceived discrimination had more depressive symptoms over time. Significant interactions between discrimination and perceived support from extended family and friends were found, indicating that among older African Americans who reported higher support from extended family and friends, perceived discrimination was positively associated with depressive symptoms over time. However, perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms were not longitudinally related among those who reported lower levels of perceived support. Discussion and Implications This is one of the few studies to examine the effects of discrimination on depressive symptoms over time and the first longitudinal study to test the role of social support in coping with discrimination in older African Americans. This study extends cross-sectional works on discrimination and mental health, indicating that experiences of discrimination can result in worse mental health over time. The significant interactions are consistent with the resource mobilization framework, which suggests that individuals who are more negatively affected by discrimination (more depressive symptoms) are more likely to reach out to friends and family to cope with discrimination. Translational Significance Older African Americans who experience more discrimination and depressive symptoms are more likely to seek support from extended family and friends for coping with discrimination over time. The study findings suggest that older African Americans may benefit from interventions based on stress coping resources via support from extended family and friends in coping with discrimination.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Background and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Support, Everyday Discrimination, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older African Americans: A Longitudinal Study

Qin

Nguyen

Mouzon

et al. 2020

Innovation in Aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Several reviews and numerous studies provide compelling evidence showing that perceived discrimination adversely affects mental health ( 10–17 ). Findings from studies illustrate that reporting high levels of racial and nonracial forms of perceived discrimination is associated with elevated depressive symptoms ( 18–21 ). Perceived discrimination, subjective perceptions of unfair or unjust treatment based on personal characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, sex, weight, sexual orientation, and other characteristics) ( 22 ), is more frequently reported by African Americans, regardless of attribution ( 23–26 ).…”

Section: Background and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived Discrimination Trajectories and Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Black Adults

White

Bell

Huang

et al. 2020

Innovation in Aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Objectives Perceived discrimination is a risk factor for poor mental health. However, most studies measure discrimination at one time point, which does not account for heterogeneity in the cumulative patterning of exposure to discrimination. To address this gap, we examine the association between discrimination trajectories and depressive symptoms among black middle-aged and older adults. Research Design and Methods Data were analyzed from a subsample of black Health and Retirement Study respondents (2006 – 2018, N = 2,926, 50+). General discrimination and racial discrimination trajectories were constructed based on the Everyday Discrimination Scale using repeated measures latent profile analyses. We examined the extent to which the association between discrimination trajectories are differentially associated with depressive symptoms (8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression scale) using negative binomial regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Effect modification by age and gender was tested. Results Individuals in the persistently high (IRR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.49, 1.95) and moderate general discrimination trajectories (IRR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.33), were more likely to have elevated depressive symptoms in comparison to those in the persistently low trajectory. This relationship was strongest among older adults aged 65+. Respondents in the persistently high racial discrimination trajectory (IRR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.73) had higher risk of elevated depressive symptoms in comparison to respondents in the persistently low trajectory. Sensitivity analyses indicated that there was an independent association between persistently high racial discrimination trajectory class and elevated depressive symptoms, after adjusting for racial discrimination measured at a single time point. Discussion and Implications Characterizing longitudinal patterns of perceived discrimination may facilitate the stratification of mental health risk and vulnerability among black middle-aged and older adults. Trajectories of racial discrimination may inform risk of worse depressive symptoms more accurately than a single assessment of discrimination.

show abstract

“…Of the 43 included studies, 13 were published in health outcome-specific journals [ 25 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 42 , 44 , 47 , 51 , 56 , 58 , 59 , 62 ] (e.g., Breast Cancer Research and Treatment ), 15 in aging-specific journals [ 21 , 22 , 24 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 45 , 53 – 55 , 57 , 60 , 61 ] (e.g., Journals of Gerontology ), four in racial disparities or race-specific journal [ 23 , 41 , 49 , 52 ] (e.g., Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities ) and the remainder in general health and social science journals [ 26 , 27 , 29 , 31 , 39 , 40 , 43 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 64 ] (e.g., PLOS One ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Racism and Older Black Americans’ Health: a Systematic Review

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We reviewed research that examines racism as an independent variable and one or more health outcomes as dependent variables in Black American adults aged 50 years and older in the USA. Of the 43 studies we reviewed, most measured perceived interpersonal racism, perceived institutional racism, or residential segregation. The only two measures of structural racism were birth and residence in a “Jim Crow state.” Fourteen studies found associations between racism and mental health outcomes, five with cardiovascular outcomes, seven with cognition, two with physical function, two with telomere length, and five with general health/other health outcomes. Ten studies found no significant associations in older Black adults. All but six of the studies were cross-sectional. Research to understand the extent of structural and multilevel racism as a social determinant of health and the impact on older adults specifically is needed. Improved measurement tools could help address this gap in science.

show abstract

Exploring Ethnic Variation in the Relationship Between Stress, Social Networks, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Black Americans

Cited by 17 publications

References 41 publications

Social Support, Everyday Discrimination, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older African Americans: A Longitudinal Study

Social Support, Everyday Discrimination, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older African Americans: A Longitudinal Study

Perceived Discrimination Trajectories and Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Black Adults

Racism and Older Black Americans’ Health: a Systematic Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About