Community connectedness and depressive symptoms among older Vietnamese immigrants

Background: Due in part to circumstances surrounding their migration to the US, Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees are at increased risk for mental health disorders including depression. Meanwhile, older immigrants are at risk for social isolation due to language, transportation, and familial duties (e.g., childcare). Little is known about the role of social connectedness and depression in this at-risk population.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between depression and social connectedness in a sample of older Vietnamese immigrants.

Methods: Vietnamese immigrants age 60+ were recruited through a community-based organization serving SE Asians. Elders were queried using a previously validated Vietnamese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and a new translation of the Lubben Social Network Scale 18 (LSNS18). The LSNS18 characterizes social networks of family, friends, and neighbors, and was translated to and back-translated from Vietnamese.

Results: We report findings from 32 Vietnamese immigrant elders who had a mean age of 70.6 years (mean 16.6 years since immigrating to the US). 90.6% reported speaking English “not well” or “not at all”. Mean GDS scores were 4.1 (3.3 male, 4.9 female; 3.4 married, 5.3 widowed/divorced). GDS scores were significantly correlated to the LSNS18 (R=-0.70, p<0.001), indicating a negative relationship between depression and social connectedness. Results from Lubben subscales were also consistent with these findings. Results of further data collection (target n=50) will also be reported.

Conclusions: Lower social connectedness significantly predicts depressive symptoms in this sample of older Vietnamese immigrants. Interventions to increase social connectedness might be useful in this population.