We examined the association between context of entry into the United States and symptoms of depression in an older age Mexican-origin population. We found that context of entry was associated with the number of depressive symptoms reported in this population. Specifically, immigrants who arrived to the U.S. following the Mexican Revolution (1918-1928) reported significantly fewer depressive symptoms, and those who arrived following enactment of the Immigration Reform Control Act (1965-1994) reported significantly more symptoms of depression, compared to those who arrived in the Bracero era (1942-1964). These findings suggest that sociopolitical context at the time of immigration may be associated with long-term psychological well-being. They contribute to a growing body of literature that suggests that the context of immigration may have long-term implications for the health of immigrant populations. We discuss implications of our findings for understanding relationships between immigration policies and the health of Mexican immigrant populations. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.

Latino Sociopolitical context Context of entry Depressive symptoms

prospective study depression hospitalization management psychological aspect sex ratio mental health human risk assessment Prospective Studies Cohort Studies statistics comparative study Time Factors Aged Databases, Factual factual database ethnology United States Humans Hispanic Severity of Illness Index male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Aged, 80 and over Socioeconomic Factors Geriatric Assessment female socioeconomics cultural factor Article migration legal aspect Sex Distribution age distribution cohort analysis policy making Mexican Americans time