Poster - #UCLAFSPH-23 - Keywords: Depression Migration Older Adults

US Migration History, Depressive Symptoms, and Depression Among Older Mexican Adults

Julián Ponce MPH(1), Hiram Beltrán Sánchez PHD(1) University of California, Los Angeles, Fielding School of Public Health(1)
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health California Center for Population Research

ABSTRACT:
Background: Elevated depressive symptoms are associated with increased mortality, especially in countries with limited economic support and growing chronic conditions among older adults such as México. Comparing Mexican older adults in México by US migration history offers an opportunity to explore how socioeconomic and chronic disease conditions differ and impact depressive symptoms. Compared to the Mexican population that did not migrate to the US, those that did often have more access to healthcare and economic resources which may be protective factors against elevated depressive symptoms. However, return migrants may still be at risk of elevated depression symptoms due to years of hardship and psychosocial stress in the US. Methods: This study explores the association between US migration history, chronic diseases (diabetes, stroke, heart attack, cancer, and hypertension), and depressive symptoms. Specifically, average changes in depressive symptom scores and depression (yes/no) over time will be examined among Mexican older adults (50+) using 2012, 2015, and 2018 waves of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Multilevel mixed-effects models were fit to compare conditions and account for repeated measures. Results: Socioeconomic factors may explain differences in depression symptom scores and depression between return migrants and non-migrants. Non-migrants had both higher average depression symptom scores and proportions with depression (5+ score) in 2012 and 2015. Interestingly there was no difference in scores or proportions with depression between groups in 2018. Conclusion: This study is crucial in understanding the health consequences or advantages of US migration experiences on older adult health outcomes. Comparing groups with differing migration histories over time offers an opportunity to examine how differences in life experiences impact health outcomes.