Sociocultural Determinants of Mental Health in Indigenous Older Adults: Results from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study

Purpose in life, social support, and spirituality/religiosity are sociocultural resources with relevance for healthy aging among Indigenous populations, yet their relationships with mental health among Indigenous older adults (IOA) remain understudied. We examined how sociocultural factors relate to mental health outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) respondents in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. We analyzed 115 AI/AN adults (Mage = 67.65, SD = 9.13, Range = 50–95, 55% Female) across up to 10 years of follow-up. Multilevel models examined associations of baseline sociocultural factors (social support, spirituality/religiosity, purpose in life) with concurrent levels and potential changes in mental health (positive affect, negative affect, depressive symptoms). Purpose in life was significantly associated with higher positive affect (b = 0.42, SE = 0.06, p<.001), lower negative affect (b=-0.28, SE = 0.06, p<.001), and fewer depressive symptoms (b=-0.67, SE = 0.17, p<.001). Social support was associated with higher positive affect (b = 0.25, SE = 0.10, p<.05) and fewer depressive symptoms (b=-0.62, SE = 0.26, p<.05). Mental health outcomes did not exhibit significant change across time (ps>.05). Results highlight purpose in life and social support as key protective factors for mental health in AI/AN adults. This work contributes to understanding culturally-relevant factors that promote well-being among IOA and informs strength-based approaches to supporting healthy aging in Indigenous communities.