The Mediating Effect of Depression on Perceived Discrimination and Persistent Prescription Opioid Use Among Puerto...

Stress indicators, including perceived discrimination and depression, have been linked with chronic diseases. Studies have also linked persistent prescription opioid use (PPOU) with depression. With increasing numbers of opioid overdose deaths among Hispanics (predominantly Puerto Rican) in Massachusetts, investigating how perceived discrimination and depression affect PPOU is relevant to public health efforts to address the opioid crisis. This study examined the effect of depression on PPOU and whether depression mediated the association between perceived discrimination and PPOU among Puerto Rican adults.

Data derived from a prospective population-based Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, at baseline and ~2- and ~6-year follow-up, were used to estimate the association between perceived discrimination and PPOU. Baron and Kenny's method was used to examine the potential mediating effect of depression.

A total of 798 Puerto Rican adults (aged 56.5 ± 7.5 years, 72.9% women) participated in the study at all three time points, and 6.5% used prescription opioids persistently. Both depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score range: 0-60; OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.00, 1.05], p = .03) and perceived discrimination (yes/no; OR = 2.43, 95% CI [1.28, 4.61], p = .006) were associated with PPOU. Depressive symptomatology partially mediated the effect of perceived discrimination on PPOU, by 10.3%.

Among Puerto Rican adults in Massachusetts, depressive symptomatology partially explained the effects of perceived discrimination on PPOU. Other unidentified factors could play a role in the relationship between perceived discrimination and PPOU. Discussion on the potential risks of PPOU should be considered among underserved populations experiencing chronic pain, discrimination, and depressive symptoms.