The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58442

Arlene Michaels Miller, PhD, RN¹, Peggy Chandler, PhD², and Olga Sorokin, MPH². (1) Public Health, Mental Health & Admin. Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 South Damen, Room 1016, Chicago, IL 60077, 312-996-9356, arlenem@uic.edu, (2) College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen, Chicago, IL 60612

Although older age at immigration is a well-documented risk factor for depression in women, we know little about strengths and resources that contribute to psychological well-being. The purpose of this presentation is to examine individual and family psychological resources that predict depression in midlife women from the former Soviet Union (FSU). Baseline data will be reported for 222 women from the FSU, aged 40-70, who have been in the U.S. fewer than 8 years. Data are from an ongoing, longitudinal study of post-migration health and behavior change. Bilingual research assistants administered questionnaires in Russian. Acculturation questionaires included English language skills, and both English and Russian Language/Behavior/Identity Scales; individual resources were measured by the Sense of Coherence Scale and Resilience Scale; family resources by the Family Hardiness Index; and self-rated health was also assessed. Depressed mood was measured by the CES-D Scale, with approximately 75% scoring higher than the cut-off suggesting clinical depression. Depression scores were significantly positively correlated with age, and negatively correlated with acculturation, sense of coherence, resilience, and family hardiness; depression varied significantly by self-rated health. Multiple regression analysis indicated that English and Russian Language/Behavior/Identity scales, sense of coherence, resilience, family hardiness, and global health were each significant independent contributors to depression; English language skills, age, and time in US were not. The model explained 46% of the variance in depression. Implications for interventions will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe risk factors for depression in immigrants
• Discuss acculturation in terms of language, behavior and identity, and its role in post-immigration adaptation.
• Identify individual and family strengths and resources that are protective for midlife immigrant women from the former Soviet Union.

Keywords: Depression, Immigrant Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.