THE IMPACT OF PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION ON MENTAL DISTRESS IN OLDER ASIAN AMERICANS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cho, Y; Hai, A; Jang, Y
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 487
• Page End: 488
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Older Asian Americans are the fastest growing but understudied segment of the U.S. population. Building upon the literature on mental health risks of older Asian Americans, the present study aims to examine how perceived discrimination would impact on their mental distress and whether the relation between perceived discrimination and mental distress would be modified by socio-cultural factors (ethnic identity, religiosity, family solidarity, and social cohesion). Data were used from the 533 participants aged 60 and older who were part of the Asian American Quality of Life (AAQoL) survey (N = 2, 614). Logistic regression models of mental distress Kessler 6 ≥ 6) were tested to examine the independent and interactive effect of perceived discrimination and socio-cultural factors (ethnic identity, religiosity, family solidarity, and social cohesion). About 24.9% of the sample reported that they had experienced racial/ethnic discrimination, and 31.2% of the sample fell into the category of having mental distress. In multivariate analyses, the experience of discrimination was found to increase the odds of having mental distress by 3.56 times (95% CI = 2.08−6.09, p < .001) whereas family solidarity reduced the odds by 5% (95% CI = .91−.99, p < .05). No interaction reached statistical significance. The present study improved our understanding of mental distress in older Asian Americans by identifying its associated factors. Programs which would help reducing the incidence of discrimination and strengthening family solidarity may reduce the prevalence of mental distress in older Asian Americans.