Older and Wiser? Age Moderates the Association Between Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms in American Indians and Alaska Natives. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Danyluck, Chad; Blair, Irene V.; Manson, Spero M.; Laudenslager, Mark L.; Daugherty, Stacie L.; Jiang, Luohua; Brondolo, Elizabeth
• Other Names: Manson Spero M. guest-editor.; Buchwald Dedra S. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 33:Number 7/8(2021)Supplement
• Page Start: 10S
• Page End: 17S
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: American Indians and Alaska Natives -- depression -- discrimination -- life course perspective; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/08982643211013699
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objectives: To examine age differences in the association between discrimination and depressive symptoms among urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).Methods: A sample of 303 urban AI/AN (18–78 years old) reported on lifetime and past-week experiences of racial discrimination and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were regressed on racial discrimination, age, and their interaction, adjusting for demographic factors and other life stressors.Results: Lifetime and past-week discrimination were significantly associated with depressive symptoms, and these associations were stronger among younger than older adult AI/AN.Discussion: The results are consistent with prior reports in other populations, but this is the first such study to focus on AI/AN, and it highlights the importance of considering life course perspectives. Conclusions are limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data. Longitudinal and qualitative work is needed to understand why discrimination may have a stronger effect on mental health for younger than older AI/AN.