title: A Comparison of Risk and Protective Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms among American Indian and Caucasian Older Adults.
abstract: Despite efforts to reduce health disparities, many American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, including older adults, experience elevated levels of depression and associated suicide. Although adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social support are well-documented risk and protective factors for depression in the general population, little is known about AI/AN populations, especially older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to depression among a sample of AI older adults in the Midwest. Data were collected using a self-administered survey completed by 479 AI and Caucasian respondents over the age of 50. The survey included standardized measures such as the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, ACE Questionnaire, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Hierarchical multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the main hypotheses of the study. Results indicate that two dimensions of ACEs (childhood neglect and household dysfunction) were positively associated with depressive symptoms; social support was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Perceived health and living alone were also significant predictors of depressive symptoms. ACEs may play a significant role in depression among AI/AN populations across the life course and into old age. Social support offers a promising mechanism to bolster resilience among AI/AN older adults.
authors.affiliation: Assistant professor, School of Social Work, Tulane University, Elk Place, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine Elizabeth
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Burnette
authors.affiliation: Assistant professor, Department of Social Work, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, USA.
authors.forename: Soonhee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, School of Social Work, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Kyoung Hag
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, School of Social Work, San Francisco State University, USA.
authors.forename: Yeon-Shim
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Program coordinator, Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Newland
authors.affiliation: PhD candidate, School of Social Work, University of Missouri–Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Jung Sim
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People
keywords: American Indian and Alaska Native populations; adverse childhood experiences; older adults; risk and protective factors; social support