Household Wealth and Mental Health in Older Adults across Racial Groups: Moderating Role of Social Support

Authors

Sunkanmi Folorunsho, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Lisa Kort-Butler

Committee Members

Seulki Kim, Amelia Li

Date of this Version

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts

Major: Sociology

Under the supervision of Professor Lisa Kort-Butler

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2025

Comments

Copyright 2025, Sunkanmi Folorunsho. Used by permission

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between household wealth and mental health outcomes among older adults, with particular attention to racial and ethnic differences and the potential moderating role of social support. Although financial resources are widely recognized as important determinants of psychological well-being, less is known about how social support interacts with economic conditions to shape mental health in later life. The study also addresses how these patterns may vary among different racial and ethnic groups, given persistent inequalities in wealth and disparities in access to social resources.

Drawing on data from the 2020 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, the analysis includes a nationally representative sample of 12,899 adults aged 50 and older. Separate logistic regression models were estimated for Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic populations. The models account for key demographic and health-related characteristics. Mental health outcomes, including loneliness and psychological distress, were assessed using validated instruments. Household wealth was log-transformed to address its skewed distribution, and social support was measured based on individuals’ perceptions of available assistance with personal care. The findings reveal that higher household wealth is associated with significantly lower odds of both loneliness and psychological distress. Social support also reduces the likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes. However, there is no evidence that social support moderates the relationship between wealth and mental health. The protective effect of wealth on psychological distress is most pronounced among Non-Hispanic Black older adults, followed by Hispanic and then Non-Hispanic White individuals.

These results emphasize the critical role of financial security in promoting mental health in later life and point to notable racial and ethnic differences in the extent of these benefits. While social support remains an important resource for emotional well-being, it does not appear to buffer the negative effects of financial hardship. The findings point to the need for targeted policy interventions that address wealth inequality and support the mental health needs of older adults from diverse backgrounds.

Advisor: Lisa Kort-Butler