title: Depression and Chronic Health Conditions Among Latinos: The Role of Social Networks.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the "buffering hypothesis" of social network characteristics in the association between chronic conditions and depression among Latinos. Cross-sectional self-report data from the San Diego Prevention Research Center's community survey of Latinos were used (n = 393). Separate multiple logistic regression models tested the role of chronic conditions and social network characteristics in the likelihood of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. Having a greater proportion of the network comprised of friends increased the likelihood of depression among those with high cholesterol. Having a greater proportion of women in the social network was directly related to the increased likelihood of depression, regardless of the presence of chronic health conditions. Findings suggest that network characteristics may play a role in the link between chronic conditions and depression among Latinos. Future research should explore strategies targeting the social networks of Latinos to improve health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health (Health Behavior), San Diego State University/University of California, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 221, San Diego, CA, 92123-4311, USA. sandra.soto@mail.sdsu.edu.|Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA. sandra.soto@mail.sdsu.edu.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA.|Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Elva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Arredondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Miguel T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Villodas
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA.|Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.affiliation: County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, South Region, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quintanar
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA.|Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Madanat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Chronic diseases; Depression; Latinos; Social network; Social support