The Effects of Loss of Independence on Depression in Latin American Older Adults: Implications for Health Promotion

Abstract

The population of Americans age sixty-five and older will double over the next twenty-five years from 36 million to 72 million.  The population of Latin American older adults is increasing at a similar rate.  The study objective is to look at loss of independence due to poor health and its relationship with depression through the lens of psychosocial developmental theory. This is a secondary study, based on Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA Study), 1996-2008 from wave DS9, which is follow-up V4. The study sample included 167 older adults and found a significant difference between loss of independence and depression. Older adults who did not experience loss of independence also had high rates of depression. The findings highlight the fact that older adult depression is a major issue that needs to be addressed by healthcare providers since the loss of independence can increase the likelihood, as well as the severity, of depression.