Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults
Abstract Background There are notable research gaps regarding physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity and depressive symptoms, particularly among older Black adults. Aim Guided by cumulative advantage/disadvantage theory, this study examines the association between physical and neurodegenerati...
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| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Discover Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00681-9 |
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| author | Seungjong Cho Tyrone C. Hamler |
| author_facet | Seungjong Cho Tyrone C. Hamler |
| author_sort | Seungjong Cho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There are notable research gaps regarding physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity and depressive symptoms, particularly among older Black adults. Aim Guided by cumulative advantage/disadvantage theory, this study examines the association between physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity and depressive symptoms within this population. Methods This study analyzed a sample from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (N = 812; age 65 +). Physical multimorbidity included diagnoses of seven chronic conditions: high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, and arthritis. Neurodegenerative multimorbidity covered Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments. Depressive symptomatology was measured with the eight-item CES-D scale. Results Negative binomial regression analyses revealed that higher physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity were both significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms. Additionally, lower income was associated with higher depressive symptoms. Discussion These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions for older Black adults experiencing multimorbidity. Addressing depressive symptoms in this population requires training health care professionals to recognize and manage complex comorbidities and fostering collaboration between providers specializing in physical and neurodegenerative conditions. As this population continues to age, integrating mental health care into routine chronic disease management will be critical for improving overall well-being. Future research should explore intervention strategies that mitigate the psychological burden of multimorbidity and promote equitable health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2327a3ee045f4a089f5bf2d62397b273 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 3005-0774 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
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| series | Discover Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-2327a3ee045f4a089f5bf2d62397b2732025-08-20T03:08:24ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-05-012211810.1186/s12982-025-00681-9Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adultsSeungjong Cho0Tyrone C. Hamler1Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Texas Tech UniversityGraduate School of Social Work, University of DenverAbstract Background There are notable research gaps regarding physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity and depressive symptoms, particularly among older Black adults. Aim Guided by cumulative advantage/disadvantage theory, this study examines the association between physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity and depressive symptoms within this population. Methods This study analyzed a sample from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (N = 812; age 65 +). Physical multimorbidity included diagnoses of seven chronic conditions: high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, and arthritis. Neurodegenerative multimorbidity covered Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments. Depressive symptomatology was measured with the eight-item CES-D scale. Results Negative binomial regression analyses revealed that higher physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity were both significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms. Additionally, lower income was associated with higher depressive symptoms. Discussion These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions for older Black adults experiencing multimorbidity. Addressing depressive symptoms in this population requires training health care professionals to recognize and manage complex comorbidities and fostering collaboration between providers specializing in physical and neurodegenerative conditions. As this population continues to age, integrating mental health care into routine chronic disease management will be critical for improving overall well-being. Future research should explore intervention strategies that mitigate the psychological burden of multimorbidity and promote equitable health outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00681-9Depressive symptomsMultimorbidityChronic illnessDementiaOlder adults |
| spellingShingle | Seungjong Cho Tyrone C. Hamler Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults Discover Public Health Depressive symptoms Multimorbidity Chronic illness Dementia Older adults |
| title | Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults |
| title_full | Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults |
| title_short | Understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults |
| title_sort | understanding the dual burden of physical and neurodegenerative multimorbidity on depressive symptoms in older black adults |
| topic | Depressive symptoms Multimorbidity Chronic illness Dementia Older adults |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00681-9 |
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