1. The impact of acculturation on depression among older Muslim immigrants in the United States.
- Author
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Abu-Bader SH, Tirmazi MT, and Ross-Sheriff F
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Depression epidemiology, Depression etiology, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Regression Analysis, United States epidemiology, Acculturation, Depression ethnology, Emigrants and Immigrants psychology, Islam
- Abstract
Using a cross-sectional design, this study utilized a self-administered survey to examine the relationship between acculturation, physical and emotional health, health locus of control (LOC), life events and depression among a convenient sample of 70 immigrant Muslim elderly in United States of America. In addition to demographic variables, 5 standardized measures including the Vancouver Index of Acculturation, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD), Iowa Self-Assessment Inventory, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Geriatric Scale of Recent Life Events were utilized in this study. The results showed that about 50% of participants reported a score of 16 and above on the CESD scale, indicating a presence of depressive symptoms. In addition, most participants identified with their heritage culture compared to the American culture. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed 4 significant predictors of depression: cognitive status (β = -.34, p < .01), heritage culture (β = .35, p < .01), physical health (β = -.27, p < .05), and internal health locus of control (β = -.25, p < .05). These factors explain about 37% of the total variance in levels depression (R = .61).
- Published
- 2011
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