How Social Support Affect Co-Ethnic Elderly's Health in Mexico and in the United States

The aging experience is different in the United States as an immigrant and in their home country. One of the difference is the social support. In this research, I use data from Mexican Health & Aging Study 2015, and Health and Retirement Survey 2004 to test how social support difference affect the physical and mental health of older Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Similar to previous research, I found that elderly Mexicans report less chronic conditions and fewer symptoms of psychological distress than the counterparts in the United States. These differences can be explained by the level of social support from family members and friends, controlling their socio-demographic characteristics.