Depressive Symptoms Following the Diagnosis of Major Chronic Illness

Abstract

Past research has shown that diagnosis with a major chronic illness tends to increase levels of depressive symptoms. However, little is known about how mental health following diagnosis differs across sex and racial-ethnic subgroups. To test how diagnosis with heart disease or cancer affected the expected number of depressive symptoms over time, we utilized panel data from a national sample of 12,271 older adults. Analyses explored subgroup variation and whether subgroup differences were accounted for by differential access to social networks, socioeconomic resources, and unique life course circumstances. Results showed that while Hispanic and non-Hispanic black groups generally reported more depressive symptoms than non-Hispanic whites, the experience of diagnosis increased depressive symptoms more for non-Hispanic whites. Females generally reported more depressive symptoms than males, but the increase following diagnosis was smaller for females. These effects were not entirely explained by differences in socioeconomic resources or social network size.