Perceived discrimination and health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults in India: results of a national survey in 2017\u20132018

Supa Pengpid,Karl Peltzer

doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02508-z

Supa Pengpid, Karl Peltzer

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02508-z

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Abstract

BackgroundThe study aimed to estimate the associations between perceived discrimination and poor physical health, poor mental health, and health risk behaviours in middle-aged and older adults in a national population survey in India.MethodsThe sample included 72,262 middle-aged and older adults from a cross-sectional national community dwelling survey in India in 2017–2018.ResultsThe prevalence of moderate (1–2 types) perceived discrimination was 10.7%, and high (3–6 types) perceived discrimination was 6.6%. In the final adjusted logistic, linear or Poisson regression analyses, moderate and/or high perceived discrimination was significantly positively associated with poor mental health (low life satisfaction, poor cognitive functioning, insomnia symptoms, and depressive symptoms), poor physical health (pain conditions count, and functional limitations), and health risk behaviours (heavy episodic drinking and physical inactivity).ConclusionPerceived discrimination is associated with poor mental health, poor physical health, and health risk behaviour, emphasising the need to consider perceived discrimination in various physical and mental health contexts.

Highlights

The study aimed to estimate the associations between perceived discrimination and poor physical health, poor mental health, and health risk behaviours in middle-aged and older adults in a national population survey in India
Perceived discrimination has been associated with negative mental health outcomes, such as depressive symptoms [1, 5, 6], psychiatric distress, poor general wellbeing [1], poor mental health [7], poor sleep [8, 9], poorer cognitive functioning [10], poorer physical health [1], such as poorer self-rated health status [4, 6, 11], poor self-rated oral health status [4], chronic illness [6], cardiovascular conditions [4, 12], respiratory conditions [4, 12], pain conditions [4, 12], poorer physical functioning or functional limitations [6, 10], multimorbidity [4], and unhealthy behaviours [1], such as smoking [1, 9] and alcohol use [1], and increased exposure to the healthcare setting [11]
Gender discrimination has been found associated with poor mental health among women in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra in India [15], and everyday perceived discrimination was associated with poorer health status in China [16]

Summary

Introduction

The study aimed to estimate the associations between perceived discrimination and poor physical health, poor mental health, and health risk behaviours in middle-aged and older adults in a national population survey in India. Routine discrimination may become a chronic stressor weaking a person’s protective and self-control resources and thereby increasing one’s vulnerability to detrimental mental, physical, and behavioural health outcomes [1]. Middleaged and older adults may be at higher risk of being discriminated against due to their decreasing social and financial status [17]

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