Twelve-month prevalence of DSM-IV mental disorders among older Asian Americans: comparison with younger groups.

Based on public-use data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), 2002-2003, we examined the 12-month prevalence rates of any depressive, anxiety, or intermittent explosive disorder among older Asian Americans and compared them to those among younger cohorts. The 12-month prevalence rate among older adults, 7.4% in the 60+ group, was significantly lower than those among younger groups. We also found that correlates of mental disorder were not the same among different age groups. Among the 60+ group, ethnicity, work status, years in the United States, family conflict, and social disability score were the significant covariates of a diagnosis of mental disorder. The findings appear to suggest that, compared with younger cohorts, older Asian Americans may have lower reactivity to life stressors and/or more adaptive coping strategies.