Chronic Illness Intrusion: Role Impairment and Time Out of Role in Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults

Purpose of the study: Little is known about the effects of chronic illness on social role participation among racially and ethnically diverse older adults. This study was undertaken to better understand disruptions in role among African American, black Caribbean, white, Latino, and Asian older adults with arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes. Design and methods: This study consisted of a cross-sectional secondary data analysis of the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys. Role disruption was operationalized using time out of role and role impairment in the past 30 days. Data from participants aged 65 and older were used in negative binomial regression analyses. Results: Overall, prevalence of role impairment occurred more often than time out of role. Race and ethnicity were not associated with time out of role, but they were for role impairment. Whites experienced more role impairment than any other racial or ethnic group. Within-group analyses identified that chronic illness, role participation, and socioeconomic factors are related in different ways depending on race or ethnicity. It appears that for some racially and ethnically diverse older adults, higher income and education are protective against role disruption. Implications: Race and ethnicity are factors in how the social roles of older adults are affected by chronic illness, and it appears that role disruption varies with type of illness. Interventions to support older adults with chronic illness should take into account the cultural factors related to role disruption.