Elderly Chinese- and Caucasian-Americans compared on measures of psychic distress, somatic complaints and social competence

Abstract

Elderly Chinese-Americans residing in the community were compared to a sample of elderly community resident Caucasian-Americans on tests that measured psychological and somatic complaints, mood states and ability to perform activities of daily living. Contrary to expectations based on prior results, the Chinese-Americans did not admit to more somatic distress or somatic symptoms than their Caucasian-American counterparts. Rather, they reported less somatic as well psychic distress than the Caucasian-Americans with few exceptions such as greater concern about memory loss. Chinese-Americans showed greater moderation in expression of emotions and feelings than the Caucasian-Americans. Chinese-American women, however, rated themselves as less proficient in the performance of activities of daily living such as use of public transportation, handling of finances and caring for household chores than the Chinese-American men and Caucasian-American men and women.