Social Determinants of Depression Among Hispanic Women

J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2017 Jan/Feb;23(1):28-36. doi: 10.1177/1078390316669230. Epub 2016 Sep 19.

Abstract

Background: Depression is the number one cause of disability in the world. Hispanic women are at a higher risk for depression than Caucasian and African American women. This is in part due to multiple social determinants of health that affect the individual, family, aggregates, and community.

Objective: To investigate the social determinants of depression among Hispanic women in South Florida.

Design: This is a secondary cross-sectional data analysis. A total of 280 Hispanic women from South Florida between 18 and 50 years of age were analyzed.

Results: Depression is prevalent among Hispanic women in South Florida (37.5%). Education, health status, and living with partner were significant predictors of depression in the sample.

Conclusion: Development of a culturally tailored risk assessment tool that highlights the social determinants of depression in Hispanic women is essential, as it could be used as a standard practice in primary care and other appropriate settings.

Keywords: Hispanic; depression; social determinants; women.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Culture*
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Health Status
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Social Determinants of Health / statistics & numerical data*