AbstractsMedical & Health Science

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between acculturation level and depression among Chinese older adults in the United States. The researcher hypothesized that Chinese older adults who were more acculturated, not female, more educated, and had more years of residency in the United Stated would be less depressed. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from Evergreen Senior Center in Northridge, California. Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) were used to measure acculturation level and depression. Findings did not suggest an association between depression and acculturation level, but demographic variables were important correlates of depression and acculturation level. Implications are discussed from a cultural perspective that more culturally sensitive practices may facilitate acculturation and reduce depression among Chinese elderly population. Advisors/Committee Members: Park, Hyun S (advisor), Levin, Amy C (committee member).