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A longitudinal analysis of cross-border ties and depression for Latino adults

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  • Torres, Jacqueline M.
  • Lee, Anne
  • González, Hector M.
  • Garcia, Lorena
  • Haan, Mary N.

Abstract

Recent scholarship suggests a significant association between cross-border ties, or ties maintained with family and friends in countries and communities of origin, and the mental health of immigrants and their descendants. To date, this research has been exclusively cross-sectional, precluding conclusions about a causal association between cross-border ties and mental health outcomes. In the present study we undertake a longitudinal analysis of the relationship between cross-border ties and depression measured over a ten-year period for a sample of immigrant and U.S.-born Latinos. Data are from the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (1998–2008), a population-based, prospective study of Latin American-origin adults 60 years and older. We find that cross-border ties reported at baseline were significantly associated with depression in subsequent study waves, even after controlling for the presence of depression at baseline, albeit with substantial differences by gender and nativity. Specifically, communication with family and friends in Latin America and travel to Latin America at baseline were each significantly associated with greater odds of depression for immigrant women, but with lower odds of depression for U.S.-born Latina women over the study period. Travel to Latin America at baseline was significantly associated with lower odds of depression for Latino men across the study. Across all models we control for depressive symptomatology at baseline to account for the reciprocal nature of depressive symptoms and engagement with social ties, including cross-border ties. Our findings suggest that cross-border ties may represent a unique source of both resilience and risk for the long-term mental health of immigrant Latinos and their descendants.

Suggested Citation

  • Torres, Jacqueline M. & Lee, Anne & González, Hector M. & Garcia, Lorena & Haan, Mary N., 2016. "A longitudinal analysis of cross-border ties and depression for Latino adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 111-119.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:160:y:2016:i:c:p:111-119
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.04.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Torres, Jacqueline M., 2013. "Cross-border ties and self-rated health status for young Latino adults in Southern California," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 79-86.
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    1. Afulani, Patience A. & Torres, Jacqueline M. & Sudhinaraset, May & Asunka, Joseph, 2016. "Transnational ties and the health of sub-Saharan African migrants: The moderating role of gender and family separation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 63-71.
    2. Torres, Jacqueline M. & Epel, Elissa S. & To, Tu My & Lee, Anne & Aiello, Allison E. & Haan, Mary N., 2018. "Cross-border ties, nativity, and inflammatory markers in a population-based prospective study of Latino adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 21-30.
    3. Ornelas, India J. & Rao, Deepa & Price, Cynthia & Chan, Gary & Tran, Anh & Aisenberg, Gino & Perez, Georgina & Maurer, Serena & Nelson, Adrianne Katrina, 2023. "Promoting mental health in Latina immigrant women: Results from the Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma intervention trial," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).

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