ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND DEPRESSION: AGING PERCEPTIONS’ MEDIATING ROLE IN OLDER KOREAN IMMIGRANTS
2024

Impact of Childhood Experiences on Depression in Older Korean Immigrants

Sample size: 315 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Lee Hajin, Park Juyoung, Jang Yuri

Primary Institution: Ewha Womans University

Hypothesis

The impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on depressive symptoms would be mitigated by negatively internalized perceptions of aging.

Conclusion

Greater exposure to adverse childhood experiences leads to negative perceptions of aging, which in turn increases symptoms of depression among older Korean immigrants.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study found that adverse childhood experiences directly affect depressive symptoms.
  • Negative self-perceptions of aging were also found to directly affect depressive symptoms.
  • The indirect effect of ACEs on depressive symptoms through self-perceptions of aging was significant.

Takeaway

If older people had tough childhoods, they might think badly about getting older, which can make them feel sad.

Methodology

Data was collected from older Korean residents in subsidized housing, and statistical analyses were performed to assess the relationships between ACEs, self-perceptions of aging, and depressive symptoms.

Participant Demographics

Older Korean immigrants, mean age 79.4, living in subsidized housing in Los Angeles.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Confidence Interval

0.02, 0.22

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.4110

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