Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a widely recognized complementary and alternative therapy. Depressive symptoms are common among older immigrants, however there is a paucity of research regarding TCM use in older Chinese Americans. Hence, this study examined the association beetween the presence of depressive symptoms and TCM use. Data were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago study including 3,157 Chinese older adults. Seventy-six percent of participants reported use of TCM. After controlling for potential confounding factors, participants with depressive symptoms were more likely to use acupuncture and massage therapy and less likely to use herbal products, practice Tai Chi, or use other traditional medicine. These findings suggesst TCM may alleviate depressive symptoms for older immigrants. Future research should investigate the causal relationship between TCM use and mental health. Integration of TCM and Western medicine is recommended to provide culturally centered care for depressed Chinese older immigrants.