Conceptualizing Anxiety and Depression: The Japanese American Older Adult Perspective

Abstract

The current study is a qualitative investigation of the conceptualization of anxiety and depression among Japanese American older adults. Twenty-nine older adults were interviewed at a senior center where they were members. Results of the interviews suggest that their conceptualization of these disorders is similar to the conceptualization used by most mental health practitioners. However, several participants conceptualized anxiety and depression differently, and at times defined each disorder using symptoms of the other disorder. Most participants believed that both anxiety and depression were preventable, situational, and treatable, and were able to identify possible risk and protective factors. There was some evidence that some of the participants believed that sex, age, and ethnic group differences existed in the severity of anxiety and depression. Implications of the results and methodological considerations of the study are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.