TY - JOUR T1 - Racial differences in the multiple social roles of older women: implications for depressive symptoms. JF - Gerontologist Y1 - 1999 A1 - Cochran, Donna A1 - Brown, Diane R. A1 - McGregor, Karl C. KW - Analysis of Variance KW - Black or African American KW - Chi-Square Distribution KW - Cross-Sectional Studies KW - Demography KW - depression KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Middle Aged KW - Regression Analysis KW - Self Concept KW - Social Environment KW - Social Support KW - White People KW - women AB -

The relationship between multiple role participation and depressive symptoms experienced by African American (n = 547) and White (n = 2,152) women aged 55-61 was explored. Data were obtained from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Racial differences in the social roles of marriage, employment, grandmother, care provider, and volunteer and their influence on level of depressive symptoms were examined. African Americans reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than Whites. Additionally, marriage, employment, and total number of social roles were the most powerful predictors of depressive symptoms for both African American and White women. However, employment was more important in diminishing depressive symptoms among African American than White women occupying multiple social roles.

PB - 39 VL - 39 IS - 4 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10495585?dopt=Abstract U4 - Analysis of Variance/Blacks/Psychology/Chi Square Distribution/Cross Sectional Studies/Demography/Depression/Ethnology/Etiology/Female/Human/Middle Age/Regression Analysis/Self Concept/Social Environment/Social Support/Whites/Psychology/Women/Psychology ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Race Differences in the Multiple Social Roles of Midlife Women: Implications for Mental Well-Being Y1 - 1996 A1 - Brown, Diane R. A1 - Cochran, Donna A1 - McGregor, Karl C. KW - Demographics KW - Health Conditions and Status KW - Women and Minorities AB - An examination of the relationship between multiple role participation and the level of distress experienced by midlife African-American and white women. Data from the Health and Retirement Study regarding 2,699 women ages 55-64 show that more whites were married than African Americans. Further, African Americans were more likely to: be separated, unemployed, sick, and disabled; provide care to one of their own children, a parent, or a husband's parent; and provide at least 100 hours of care to a grandchild. White women were more likely to occupy more roles and to be homemakers. When other factors are controlled (eg, age, education), the results show no difference for either race. Higher levels of depression for African Americans appear attributable to their lower likelihood of being married and having fewer social roles than white women. U4 - Women--Roles/Middle Aged Adults/Black Americans/Whites/Psychological Distress/multiple role participation distress level relationship, midlife African/white women/Health Status ER -