Self-Management Practices Among Older Chinese Immigrants With Major Depressive Disorder: Strategies and Challenges

Background: Older immigrant adults are at an increased risk of depression due to factors such as low acculturation, language barriers, and social isolation. In Chinese communities, a strong cultural stigma surrounding mental health further exacerbates these challenges. However, limited knowledge exists about how Chinese immigrants self-manage their depression. This study aimed to increase the understanding of strategies and challenges of self-management practices among older Chinese immigrants who are living with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: A qualitative study design was employed, with participants recruited from a psychiatric clinic in New York City. Participants first completed a demographic survey to capture their characteristics, followed by semistructured individual interviews to explore their experience of self-management of depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and grounded theory approach. Findings: Seventeen older Chinese immigrants with MDD were recruited. Their average age was 60.53 (SD: 6.47; range: 51–75) years, 52.9% were male, and 70.6% were married. Strategies of self-management included seeking help and adhering to treatment, finding comfort in supportive relationships and social engagement, engaging in enjoyable activities, and practicing acceptance and letting go. Challenges to self-management included failing to recognize underlying emotional problems, fighting cultural stigmas and misconceptions, encountering help-seeking barriers as immigrants, and ongoing struggles with medication reliance and concerns about side effects. Conclusions/Implications: Our findings revealed that participants developed individualized strategies to manage depressive symptoms and maintain balance in their daily lives. Healthcare providers should assess older adults’ perception of depression, understand the challenges they face in self-management, and provide tailored interventions for those struggling to manage depressive symptoms. Furthermore, efforts to deliver culturally sensitive, collaborative care should include enhancing mental health literacy, increasing public awareness, and implementing antistigma interventions for this population.