Las Comadres and adult day care centers: The perceived impact of socialization on mental wellness

Using a semi-structured interview format, this study examined the narratives of 24 Mexican-American, elderly impoverished women in order to gain their perception of the effects of adult day care centers (ADCs) on their mental and physical wellness. Some of the emergent themes and categories included 1) popular activities, crafts, dances, prayers and services, 2) depression, isolation and boredom 3) family stress, children living far away, history of verbal and physical abuse, 4) reliance on other comadres, and 5) perceived positive affect of ADCs and socialization on health, easing of depression, and relying on other comadres. Pearlin's Stress Process Model [Pearlin, L. I. 1999. “The Stress Process Revisited: Reflections on Concepts and their Interrelationships”. Pp. 395–415 in Handbook of the Sociology of Mental Health, edited by C. S. Aneshensel and J. C. Phelan. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.] provides explanations for the buffering effects of socialization and activities that ADCs provide. Data suggests that ADC activities buffer stress related to growing old and play an important role in alleviating depression.