Twelve-month prevalence of DSM-IV mental disorders among older Asian Americans: comparison with younger groups.
Based on public-use data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), 2002-2003, we examined the 12-month prevalence rates of any depressive, anxiety, or intermittent explosive disorder among older Asian Americans and compared them to those among younger cohorts. The 12-month prevalence rate among older adults, 7.4% in the 60+ group, was significantly lower than those among younger groups. We also found that correlates of mental disorder were not the same among different age groups. Among the 60+ group, ethnicity, work status, years in the United States, family conflict, and social disability score were the significant covariates of a diagnosis of mental disorder. The findings appear to suggest that, compared with younger cohorts, older Asian Americans may have lower reactivity to life stressors and/or more adaptive coping strategies.
Department of Social Welfare, Seoul Women's University, 126 Kongneung 2-Dong, Nowon-Ku, Seoul 139-774, Korea. jskim@swu.ac.kr
Jinseok
J
Kim
Namkee G
NG
Choi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult