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.