Depression according to ethnic identity in peruvian population: A national study using network analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the dynamics of depressive symptoms in the Peruvian population according to ethnic identity and identify the central symptom by network analysis. For this purpose, the database of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) 2020 was analyzed. The sample was random and consisted of 32.634 participants who were administered the Patient Health Questionnaire 9. A network analysis was performed to find out the core symptoms of depression according to their ethnic identity. The findings indicated that, in all ethnic groups, the central symptom was depressed mood, with the exception of the Aymara population, in whom sleep problems were central. In addition, the least interaction between symptoms was found in those who identified themselves as Amazonian natives. It is concluded that depression may manifest itself differently among ethnic groups, especially in the Aymara population, where a more somatic expression was found, such as sleep problems.