Minority Status, Aging, and Mental Health

Abstract

Research findings on mental health and life satisfaction among aged blacks, Mexican-Americans and native Americans are reviewed. Although the literature has generally followed a social stress perspective that predicts greater mental health problems among minority group aged, the evidence shows that mental health and life satisfaction of these groups is not any lower than might be anticipated based on their relative socioeconomic standing. It is concluded that, despite increased research, little is known about how ethnicity and minority group status influence psychopathology and life satisfaction in late life.