title: Diabetes and depressive symptoms among Korean American older adults: the mediating role of subjective health perceptions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In recognition of the impact of chronic diseases on mental health and the lack of research on Asian American subgroups, the present study examined subjective perceptions of health as a potential mediator in the association between diabetes and depressive symptoms in Korean American older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multivariate analysis with data from 672 Korean American older adults in Florida explored the mediation model of health perceptions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of diabetes was associated with negative perceptions of health and elevated symptoms of depression. The proposed mediation model was also supported: negative perceptions of health served as an intervening step between diabetes and depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervening role of health perceptions yields implications for developing health promotion interventions targeting older individuals with diabetes. Results suggest that even in the presence of chronic health conditions, mental well-being of older adults can be maintained by having optimistic beliefs and positive attitudes towards their own health.
authors.affiliation: School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, United States. yjang@usf.edu
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Nan Sook
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Soyeon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Soonhee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Chiriboga
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D003469:Culture; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D012649:Self Concept