Impact of acculturation on psychological distress in Latino and Asian caregivers: Developing topics. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nguyen, Julia Phuong; Hoang, Diane; Zhou, Kieran; Harvey, Danielle J; Meyer, Oanh L
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 7
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.047610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Mounting demands for caregiving and an increasingly diverse caregiver population have prompted several studies examining the role of cultural factors in caregiver outcomes. Little is known about how caregiving interacts with acculturation processes to affect mental health. We investigate the role of caregiving and acculturation factors on psychological distress among a diverse sample of adults. Method: Using data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey, the largest statewide survey in the nation, we examined whether acculturation [i.e., generational status (1 st, 2 nd, or 3 rd ) and language of interview (English or Spanish/Asian language)] and caregiving status were related to psychological distress (N = 14, 189). Result: The sample was 58.4% Latino, 34.5%Asian, and 7.1% Multiracial. Regression analyses indicated that first generation caregivers had significantly more distress than 1 st generation individuals who were not caregivers (β=0.93, 95% CI: (0.20, 1.66), p=0.01); moreover, the difference in distress level between caregivers and non‐caregivers was smaller in the 3 rd generation than in the 1 st generation (β=‐1.06, 95% CI: (‐2.06, ‐0.07), p=0.04). Among non‐caregivers, those in the 3 rd generation had more distress than those in the 1 st generation (β=0.69, 95% CI: (0.15, 1.24), p=0.01). Additionally, caregivers had much higher levels of distress than non‐caregivers among those interviewed in a language other than English relative to those tested in English (β=1.14, 95% CI: (0.11, 2.18), p=0.03). The difference in distress was not quite significant between caregivers and non‐caregivers who were interviewed in English (β=0.42, 95% CI: (‐0.07, 0.91), p =0.09). Conclusion: Caregiving status in first generation Latinos and Asians is associated with higher psychological distress. Differences in distress levels between caregivers and non‐caregivers was larger among first generation immigrants suggesting that being less acculturated further exacerbates caregiver distress. These results were further supported by acculturation as measured by language of interview. Results have significant implications for assessment and intervention in immigrant caregiver groups.