The relationships among perceived discrimination, self-perceptions of aging, and depressive symptoms: a longitudinal examination of age discrimination

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between changes in perceived discrimination and changes in depressive symptoms among older people. The association between perceived age discrimination and depressive symptoms was also analyzed longitudinally along with tests to determine whether self-perception of aging mediates this association. Method: Data from two waves (2008 and 2012) of the Health and Retirement Study were used. Longitudinal models were tested using a nationally representative sample of 3921 participants who responded to psychosocial questionnaires in both waves and answered questions about perceived everyday discrimination and attributions of discrimination in 2008. Results: Changes in perceived discrimination was significantly associated with changes in depressive symptoms over time. Perceived age discrimination was significantly related to a change in depressive symptoms over four years and self-perceptions of aging mediated the relationship between perceived age discrimination and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the importance of recognizing perceived discrimination and negative self-perceptions of aging as well as how the negative effects of age discrimination on self-perceptions of aging can be risk factors for the development of depressive symptoms in late life.