This study examines the association between acculturation stress and depressive symptoms in a regional probability sample (n = 407) of six groups of Asian immigrant elders (Chinese, Korean, Indian, Filipino,Vietnamese, and Japanese). Findings suggest that about 40 percent of the sample were depressed, indicating higher depression rates than found in other studies of older American or Asian elderly samples in the United States and Asia. Multiple regression analyses indicated that acculturation stress caused by elders' perception of a cultural gap between themselves and their adult children was associated with high depression levels. Other predictors of depression were poor perceived health, stressful life events, religiosity, proximity of children, assistance received from adult children, and longer residence in the United States. Data suggest that depression is prevalent among urban Asian immigrant elders and that there is great heterogeneity among Asian ethnic subgroups. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

The CES-D 10 Scale indicated adequate reliability and validity for the community-dwelling older population in China. In addition, the data revealed that perception and expression of depressive feelings was different between male and female elderly people.

Depression is the most prevalent mental health problem among the elderly, including Chinese-American elderly. A Chinese-language version of the popular Geriatric Depression Scale Long Form (GDS-LF) and Short Form (GDS-SF) was developed. Based on the responses of 50 elderly Chinese immigrants to the U.S. (25 women and 25 men), the GDS-LF evidenced high internal consistency but the GDS-SF did not. Factor analysis was then used to develop a new version of the GDS-SF, which was internally consistent. The revised GDS-SF is an important and easy-to-administer tool for community screening of depression among elderly Chinese immigrants.

The emotional strain associated with caregiving as experienced by both black (n = 117) and white (n = 464) daughter caregivers was examined from a role theory perspective. Black daughters reported less role strain overall. Conflict between caregiving duties and the caregivers' personal and social life was a predictor for both groups. For black women the unique predictors were: poor perceived health, unavailability of respite support, and lower caregiving role demand. For white women poor quality of parent-daughter relationship and work conflict were the unique predictors.

Using data from the 1982-84 National Long-Term Care Channeling Demonstration, this study examines factors associated with long-term care service use by African American, Hispanic, and white frail elders living in the community. Findings indicate that in addition to predisposing, enabling, and need factors, race/ethnicity is a significant predictor of each type of service use.

No abstract

This study examined the association between English language proficiency and health outcomes in a regional probability sample (n = 205) of elderly Chinese and Korean immigrants. Data support that these two Asian ethnic subgroups differ in English proficiency and health-related quality of life. Chinese and Korean elders had poorer health than the national norms, and poor English proficiency was associated with poorer outcomes for six of eight health outcomes measures. Implications for health care delivery and social work are discussed.

This research examines the impact of various factors on perceived emotional strain of adult son and daughter caregivers of frail elderly parents. Daughters experienced higher levels of emotional strain than did sons. Perceived interference between caregiving and the caregiver's personal and social life predicted emotional strain for both sons and daughters. For daughters the most important predictors of emotional strain were interference with work and quality of relationship with the parent. For sons the most important predictors were behavioral problems of the parent and few informal helpers.