GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER HISPANIC WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES - Research Findings on Gendered Predictors of Depression

Sep 29, 2026

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Older Hispanic women in the United States are more likely than older Hispanic men to experience depressive symptoms, yet gender-specific predictors are insufficiently studied. Using nationally representative samples of Hispanic adults aged 51+ (n=2564) from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study, binary logistic regression assesses known predictors for women and men through an intersectionality lens. Married participants are less likely to be depressed, and a significant gender difference emerges for education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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Abstract

Study aim and framework

Data source and method

Key results

Implications for public health

722 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2459 GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER HISPANIC WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES Jaminette Nazario-Acevedo1, and Takashi Yamashita2, 1. University of Maryland, Baltimore & Baltimore County, Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States, 2. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, United States Older Hispanic women are more likely to experience depressive symptoms than older Hispanic men in the United States. Mental health challenges faced by older Hispanic adults, in general, and their gender differences, in particular, are often overlooked. Previous research highlights that a form of social relationship --- marriage, can serve as a protective factor for mental health. However, gender differences in specific factors associated with depressive symptoms among older Hispanic women and men have not been extensively examined. Given the intersectionality theory, the present study compared the known predictors of depressive symptoms among older Hispanic women and men. Nationally representative samples of Hispanic adults aged 51 years and older (n = 2564) are obtained from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study. Binary logistic regression shows that married older Hispanic adults (Odds ratio = 0.69, p < 0.05) Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 723 are less likely to be depressed than their counterparts. No gender difference in the marital status on depressive symptoms is observed. However, there is a significant gender difference in the effect of educational attainment. Older Hispanic women with a college degree or higher (Odds ratio = 0.57, p < 0.05) are less likely to be depressed than their counterparts. Yet, educational attainment is not associated with lower depressive symptoms among men (Odd-ratio = 1.02, p > 0.05). Findings suggest differential impacts of socioeconomic status on mental health by gender. To improve the mental health of older Hispanic adults in the United States, a more targeted and gendered public health approach may be considered.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the study?

To compare predictors of depressive symptoms among older Hispanic women and men in the United States, using an intersectionality framework.

What dataset and sample size are used?

The study uses nationally representative samples of Hispanic adults aged 51 years and older from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study, totaling n=2564.

How do marital status and education relate to depressive symptoms by gender?

Married older Hispanic adults are less likely to be depressed. No gender difference is found for marital status, but educational attainment shows a gender difference: college degree or higher is linked to lower depressive symptoms for women, not for men.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Miles