Social participation and depressive symptoms in older African American cancer survivors: a comparison with non-cancer subjects

Abstract

Objectives

African Americans are differentially affected by most cancers compared to other racial groups. Social participation has demonstrated beneficial effects on mental health in older adults with a history of cancer. The purpose of the present study is to examine and compare the effects of specific social participation activities on depressive symptoms among older African Americans with and without a history of cancer.

Method

The study sample included 2,000 older African Americans selected from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Waves from 2011 to 2018 were used. Mixed-effects logistic regressions were applied to examine the effects of four social participation activities on depressive symptoms among older African Americans with or without a history of cancer.

Results

Among older African American who had a history of cancer, visiting family and friends and attending religious services were related to lower odds of depressive symptoms. However, among older African Americans without a history of cancer, joining organized activities and going out for enjoyment predicted lower odds of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Older African Americans with a history of cancer tend to benefit from visiting family and friends and attending religious services in coping with depressive symptoms. Mental health services for this group could focus interventions on promoting social participation activities with family, friends, and religious congregants.

Keywords:

• Social participation
• cancer survivors
• depressive symptom
• older African American

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (grant number NIA U01AG32947) and was conducted by the Johns Hopkins University.