Depression Among Older Immigrant African Women in Metro West MA

Introduction and Problem Statement

In Metro West Massachusetts, anxiety and depression rank among the most common health disorders, and they are particularly prevalent among elderly immigrant women aged between 50 and 79 years (Agbemenu, 2016). Despite the availability of efficacious interventions for both conditions, elderly immigrant women experience significant mental health care disparities in their access to services and in the quality of treatment they receive (Sánchez et al., 2014). Researchers have determined that heterogeneity within the African American community influences access to depression and anxiety treatment. African Americans are also becoming an increasingly visible minority within the United States, especially in West Massachusetts.

The intent of this study is to understand the causes and prevalence of depression among older immigrant African American women in Metro West Massachusetts, as well as how these older immigrants cope with the condition. A total of 20 self-identified social workers were interviewed about their patients' mental health symptoms and treatment experiences, the perceived causes of their anxiety, the stressors their patients face in West Massachusetts, their access to mental health services, and the coping strategies employed. Results reflected considerable variability across two groups, with African American elderly immigrant women endorsing higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as higher rates of treatment-seeking, than White women. Gender, age, marital status, and country of origin played major roles in the endorsement of anxiety and depression among immigrants. Although the two groups differed in the extent to which they experienced stigma about mental health issues, stigma did not predict symptom endorsement or treatment-seeking behavior in either group.

The intent of this study is to explore the views of social workers regarding depression among older immigrant African women currently living in West Massachusetts. For the purposes of this study, "older immigrant African women" refers to women over 55 years of age who relocated from any African country after obtaining a green card or permanent residency in the United States. Depression among elderly immigrant women stands out as an important phenomenon for study in the context of social work, given the extent to which the condition affects vulnerable populations. Derr (2017) pointed out that immigrants typically face stressors related to the migration experience that may cause or intensify mental health problems. Derr (2017) also noted that immigrants tend to access mental health services at a lower rate than non-immigrants. This situation leaves immigrants at risk of untreated conditions, leading to increased disease burden (Lynch, Berg, Manna, & Schade, 2016). This negative health predisposition creates a greater need for mental health services among immigrants who appear more susceptible to developing depression, making it imperative to establish the views of social workers addressing mental health needs — particularly depression — among older immigrant African women in Metro West Massachusetts. Insights gained should play a critical role in the development of comprehensive mental health programs aimed at improving immigrants' health outcomes.

Migration can be challenging, and many immigrant women experience difficulties that affect their mental health. Changes in practices, values, social factors, and cultural identification are considered contributors to the potential risk of developing mental health issues (Alegría, Álvarez, & DiMarzio, 2017). Similarly, Foo et al. (2018) asserted that migration into a new country leads to drastic changes in essential aspects of daily life. The process of assimilating to new environments and cultures causes considerable levels of acculturative stress, which researchers have linked to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders (Foo et al., 2018). Examining stressors surrounding the migrant experience from the social work perspective should therefore offer valuable insight into the issues faced by this vulnerable population, especially for women aged 50 and above.

It is imperative to determine the views of social workers from West Massachusetts who work with older immigrant African women affected by depression (Priebe et al., 2011). Such an undertaking may reveal service modifications — such as allowing patients with language barriers additional time during consultations — that could enhance access to quality mental health services (Priebe et al., 2011). As researchers have suggested, immigration can create worry that increases the risk of depression, and this risk can be exacerbated by cultural factors such as language barriers, which may complicate diagnosis and treatment of this disorder among immigrant populations (Landa, Skritskaya, Nicasio, Humensky, & Lewis-Fernández, 2015). Failure to adequately determine the views of social workers on depression within a community translates to neglecting social health and welfare (Baldwin-Clark, Ofahengaue Vakalahi, & Anderson, 2016). This study therefore seeks to obtain the perspectives of social workers regarding depression within the selected migrant population, as well as insights into how healthcare professionals can help meet the emerging needs of this group.

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