Racial-ethnic differences in the associations between functional disabilities and subsequent depression among...

The intersection of race/ethnicity with disability is a critical dimension of mental health outcomes in later ages that remains under-investigated.

We examined the role of race-ethnicity in moderating the associations between functional disabilities and subsequent depression among Americans 51 and older and stratified into the two age-groups of midlife (51-64) and older adults (≥65).

Using a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling Americans (≥51; n = 7475) in the 2016-2018 Health and Retirement Study, we conducted bivariate and multivariable regression analyses. Racial-ethnic groups included non-Hispanic (NH) Black, Hispanic, and NH White and a binary (0/1) outcome defined subsequent depression in 2018. The total number of difficulties on the Nagi, Lawton, and Katz disability scales represented baseline (2016) functional disabilities with a secondary four-level (no/mild/severe with assistance/severe without assistance) disability indicator incorporated to examine the role of assistance with daily living.

Across age-groups, subsequent depression was significantly more prevalent among NH Whites with functional disabilities compared to counterparts reporting no disabilities. Compared to NH Black and Hispanic counterparts, midlife NH Whites were three times more likely to report subsequent depression with each unit increase in the functional disability score, after adjusting for covariates. However, we observed no such racial-ethnic differences among older adults. Among the 51+ severe with no assistance group, adjusted odds of subsequent depression among NH Whites was 2.5 times higher than minority counterparts.

Health programs and environmental adaptations supporting functional care needs in later ages could be beneficial for improving mental health of adults with disabilities.