Intersectionality and depression symptoms in Mexican adults aged ≥50, MHAS 2001 and 2012

Abstract

Objective. To analyze, from the perspective of intersectionality, the association of social inequality dimensions (occupation, poverty, and educational level) and socio-demographic and health characteristics with the proportion of depressive symptoms among males and females aged 50 years and older who participated in the 2001 and 2012 waves of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Materials and methods. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models stratified by sex were performed, including interaction terms between poverty, educational level, and employment conditions on the presence of depressive symptoms. Results. The proportion of females with depressive symptoms was significantly higher than that of males in both waves. A high proportion of older females in poverty, with five years or less of education and manual occupational activities, reported depressive symptoms in the MHAS-2001. The interactions evaluated between occupation, poverty, and educational level were not statistically significant under adjusted models; however, disability and comorbidities were associated with depressive symptoms in both sexes. Conclusion. A higher proportion of females have depressive symptoms under conditions of inequality; however, the effect of the intersection between employment and socio-demographic characteristics on depressive symptoms was not observed under adjusted models.