Racial, Ethnic, and Sociodemographic Differences in the Level of Psychosocial Distress among Older Americans

Abstract

More than 2 million older Americans suffer from some form of depression. Yet late-life depression is often undiagnosed or underdiagnosed. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for the observed differences in the level of depressive symptoms between older African Americans, Hispanics, and Whites. The data are from Wave 1 of the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old survey administered during 1993-1994. Ordinary least-squares regression results indicate that language acculturation, the number of years of education, and the number of years of U.S. residency are significant factors that help to explain differences in self-reported levels of depressive symptoms among this older population. In general, those who are men, are married, have more education, and are in better health have lower levels of depressive symptoms.