Correlates of Depression among Older Kurdish Refugees

Sherry Cummings; Linnet Sull; Cindy Davis; Natalie Worley

doi:10.1093/sw/56.2.159

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Correlates of Depression among Older Kurdish Refugees

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Correlates of Depression among Older Kurdish Refugees

Sherry Cummings, Linnet Sull, Cindy Davis and Natalie Worley

Social Work, Vol.56(2), pp.69-73

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/56.2.159

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Abstract

Social Work

depression

immigrants

Kurds

older adults

refugees

Little is known about the psychological status of older refugees who have immigrated from war-torn areas in the Middle East. This study examined the nature and predictors of depression among older Kurds living in one city in the United States. Older Kurds (N = 70) were recruited and surveyed by trained Kurdish interviewers in their native dialect. The majority of participants had very low incomes; had no education; were illiterate in their own language; and had little to no ability to speak, read, or write English. Elevated levels of depression were found, with 67.1 percent scoring above the clinical cutoff for depression and 25. 7 percent scoring in the severe depression range. Depression was associated with demographic (age), stressor (migratory grief, death of spouse, number of medical conditions, functional disability, and income), and coping (English proficiency and social support) variables. Health conditions exerted the greatest effect. Migratory grief and social support were also significant predictors of depression. Results suggest substantial psychological distress among this understudied population of older refugees. Implications for research and practice with older members of newly established refugee populations are discussed.

Details

Title: Correlates of Depression among Older Kurdish Refugees
Authors: Sherry Cummings (Author) - University of Tennessee, United States
Linnet Sull (Author)
Cindy Davis (Author) - University of Tennessee, United States
Natalie Worley (Author)
Publication details: Social Work, Vol.56(2), pp.69-73
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date published: 2011
DOI: 10.1093/sw/56.2.159
ISSN: 0037-8046
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449064202621
Output Type: Journal article

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