Top

Published in:

01-01-2020 | Original Paper

Immigration and Language Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Asian American Adolescents and Young Adults

Authors: So-Young Park, So-Youn Park

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

This study examined the effects of immigration and language factors on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among Asian American adolescents and young adults during three developmental periods. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, linear regression and linear probability models were used for the data analyses. A significant group difference was observed in suicidal ideation between Asian American youth who were born in the U.S. and whose families spoke English at home and all other Asian American youth. Differences between ethnic groups were found in the mean scores of depressive symptoms and the probabilities of suicidal ideation between Asian American youth and non-Hispanic white (NHW) youth. The findings of this study reveal mental health disparities between Asian American youth and NHW youth in the U.S. These results emphasize the importance of implementing culturally sensitive mental health interventions for Asian American adolescents and young adults.

Abdi, H. (2010). Holm’s sequential Bonferroni procedure. In N. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of research design. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Anyon, Y., Ong, S. L., & Whitaker, K. (2014). School-based mental health prevention for Asian American adolescents: Risk behaviors, protective factors, and service use. Asian American Journal of Psychology,5(2), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035300.CrossRef

Balis, T., & Postolache, T. T. (2008). Ethnic differences in adolescent suicide in the United States. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development,1, 281–296.PubMedPubMedCentral

Bradley, K. L., Bagnell, A. L., & Brannen, C. L. (2010). Factorial validity of the center for epidemiological studies depression 10 in adolescents. Issues in Mental Health Nursing,31, 408–412.CrossRef

Brent, D. A., Baugher, M., Bridge, J., Chen, T., & Chiappetta, L. (1999). Age- and sex-related risk factors for adolescent suicide. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,38(12), 1497–1505. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199912000-00010.CrossRefPubMed

Budiman, A., Cilluffo, A., & Ruiz, N. G. (2019). Key facts about Asian origin groups in the U.S. Pew Research Center. https://pewrsr.ch/2EoOpWe.

Cash, S. J., & Bridge, J. A. (2009). Epidemiology of youth suicide and suicidal behavior. Current Opinion in Pediatrics,21(5), 613–619. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0b013e32833063e1.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). High school youth risk behavior survey (YRBS): 2017 Results. Retrieved August 9, 2019, from https://nccd.cdc.gov/Youthonline/App.

Child Trends. (2012). Young adult depression. Retrieved March 3, 2018, from https://childtrendsdatabank.org/?q=node/325.

Choi, H., Meininger, J. C., & Roberts, R. E. (2006). Ethnic differences in adolescents’ mental distress, social stress, and resources. Adolescence,41(162), 263–283.PubMed

Choi, Y., Tan, K. P. H., Yasui, M., & Pekelnicky, D. D. (2014). Race-ethnicity and culture in the family and youth outcomes: Test of a path model with Korean American youth and parents. Race and Social Problems,6(1), 69–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12552-014-9111-8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Delgado, M. Y., Updegraff, K. A., Roosa, M. W., & Umaña-Taylor, A. J. (2011). Discrimination and Mexican-origin adolescents’ adjustment: The moderating roles of adolescents’, mothers’, and fathers’ cultural orientations and values. Journal of Youth and Adolescence,40, 125–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9467-z.CrossRefPubMed

Demetry, Y., & Dalal, K. (2017). Suicidal ideation and attempt among immigrants in Europe: A literature review. Journal of Depression and Anxiety,6(3), 281. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-1044.1000281.CrossRef

Eid, M., & Diener, E. (2001). Norms for experiencing emotions in different cultures: Inter- and intranational differences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,81(5), 869–885. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.5.869.CrossRefPubMed

Erikson, E. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. New York: Norton.

Forte, A., Trobia, F., Gualtieri, F., Lamis, D. A., Cardamone, G., Giallonardo, V., …, Pompili, M. (2018). Suicide risk among immigrants and ethnic minorities: A literature overview. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15, 1438. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071438.CrossRef

Gudino, O. G., Lau, A. S., Yeh, M., McCabe, K. M., & Hough, R. L. (2009). Understanding racial/ethnic disparities in youth mental health services: Do disparities vary by problem type? Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders,17, 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/1063426608317710.CrossRef

Hahm, H., Lahiff, M., & Guterman, N. (2004). Asian American adolescents, acculturation, binge drinking, and alcohol- and tobacco-using peers. Journal of Community Psychology,32, 295–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20002.CrossRef

Hankin, B., Abramson, L., Moffitt, T., Silva, P., McGee, R., & Angell, K. (1998). Development of depression from preadolescence to young adulthood: Emerging gender differences in a 10-year longitudinal study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology,107(1), 128–140.CrossRef

Harris, K. M. (2013). The Add Health study: Design and accomplishments. Retrieved February 9, 2018, from http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/data/guides.

Kann, L., McManus, T., Harris, W. A., Shanklin, S. L., Flint, K. H., Queen, B., …, Ethier, K. A. (2018). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2017. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 67(8), 1–114. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6708a1.CrossRef

Kennedy, M. A., Parhar, K. K., Samra, J., & Gorzalka, B. (2005). Suicide ideation in different generations of immigrants. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry,50, 353–356.CrossRef

Kerr, D. C. R., Preuss, L. J., & King, C. A. (2006). Suicidal adolescents’ social support from family and peers: Gender-specific associations with psychopathology. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology,34(1), 103–114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-005-9005-8.CrossRefPubMed

Kim, J. M., & López, S. R. (2014). The expression of depression in Asian Americans and European Americans. Journal of Abnormal Psychology,123(4), 754–763. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038114.CrossRefPubMed

Kim, S. Y., Wang, Y., Deng, S., Alvarez, R., & Li, J. (2011). Accent, perpetual foreigner stereotype, and perceived discrimination as indirect links between English proficiency and depressive symptoms in Chinese American adolescents. Developmental Psychology,47(1), 289–301. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020712.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Kisch, J., Leino, E. V., & Silverman, M. M. (2005). Aspects of suicidal behavior, depression, and treatment in college students: Results from the spring 2000 National College Health Assessment Survey. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior,35(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1521/suli.35.1.3.59263.CrossRefPubMed

Kodjo, C., & Auinger, P. (2003). Racial/ethnic differences in emotionally distressed adolescents receiving mental health care. Journal of Adolescent Health,32, 132–133.CrossRef

Kposowa, A. J., McElvain, J. P., & Breault, K. D. (2008). Immigration and suicide: The role of marital status, duration of residence, and social integration. Archives of Suicide Research,12, 82–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811110701801044.CrossRefPubMed

Kramer, E. J., Kwong, K., Lee, E., & Chung, H. (2002). Cultural factors influencing the mental health of Asian Americans. Western Journal of Medicine,176(4), 227–231.PubMedPubMedCentral

Kuroki, Y. (2015). Risk factors for suicidal behaviors among Filipino Americans: A data mining approach. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry,85(1), 34–42. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000018.CrossRefPubMed

Leong, F. T. L., Leach, M. M., & Gupta, A. (2008). Suicide among Asian Americans: A critical review with research recommendations. In M. Leach & F. Leong (Eds.), Suicide among racial and ethnic minority groups: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 117–141). New York: Routledge/Taylor and Francis.

Lewinsohn, P. M., Rohde, P., & Seeley, J. R. (1998). Major depressive disorder in older adolescents: Prevalence, risk factors, and clinical implications. Clinical Psychology Review,18, 765–794. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-7358(98)00010-5.CrossRefPubMed

Mak, W. W. S., Law, R. W., & Teng, Y. (2011). Cultural model of vulnerability to distress: The role of self-construal and sociotropy on anxiety and depression among Asian Americans and European Americans. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology,42(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022110361713.CrossRef

McGee, R., Feehan, M., Williams, S., & Anderson, J. (1992). DSM-III disorders from age 11 to age 15 years. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,31, 50–59. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199201000-00009.CrossRefPubMed

Merikangas, K. R., & Angst, J. (1995). Comorbidity and social anxiety disorder: Evidence from clinical, epidemiologic, and genetic studies. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience,244, 297–303. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02190407.CrossRefPubMed

Moon, S. S., & Rao, U. (2010). Youth–family, youth–school relationship, and depression. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal,27, 115–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-010-0194-9.CrossRefPubMed

Morrison, L. L., & Downey, D. L. (2000). Racial differences in self-disclosure of suicidal ideation and reasons for living: Implications for training. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology,6(4), 374–385. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.6.4.374.CrossRefPubMed

Portes, A., & Schauffler, R. (1994). Language and the second generation: Bilingualism yesterday and today. International Migration Review,28, 640–661.CrossRef

Qin, D. B., Way, N., & Mukherjee, P. (2008). The other side of the model minority story: The familial and peer challenges faced by Chinese American adolescents. Youth and Society,39, 480–506. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X08314233.CrossRef

Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement,1(3), 385–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/014662167700100306.CrossRef

Romero, A. J., Carvajal, S. C., Valle, F., & Orduña, M. (2007). Adolescent bicultural stress and its impact on mental well-being among Latinos, Asian Americans, and European Americans. Journal of Community Psychology,35(4), 519–534. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20162.CrossRef

Rubenstein, E. (1991). An overview of adolescent development, behavior, and clinical intervention. Families in Society,72(4), 220–225.CrossRef

Salant, T., & Lauderdale, D. S. (2003). Measuring culture: A critical review of acculturation and health in Asian immigrant populations. Social Science & Medicament,57, 71–90.CrossRef

Song, S. J., Ziegler, R., Arsenault, L., Fried, L. E., & Hacker, K. (2011). Asian student depression in American high schools: Differences in risk factors. Journal of School Nursing,27(6), 455–462. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840511418670.CrossRefPubMed

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 17-5044, NSDUH Series H-52). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved August 10, 2019, from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/.

Suh, H., van Nuenen, M., & Rice, K. G. (2017). The CES-D as a measure of psychological distress among international students: Measurement and structural invariance across gender. Assessment,24, 896–906. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191116632337.CrossRefPubMed

Tewari, N., & Alvarez, A. (Eds.). (2009). Asian American psychology: Current perspectives. New York: Routledge/Taylor and Francis Group.

Thompson, M. P., & Light, L. S. (2011). Examining gender differences in risk factors for suicide attempts made 1 and 7 years later in a nationally representative sample. Journal of Adolescent Health,48, 391–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.07.018.CrossRefPubMed

Tseng, V., & Fuligni, A. J. (2004). Parent–adolescent language use and relationships among immigrant families with East Asian, Filipino, and Latin American backgrounds. Journal of Marriage and Family,62(2), 465–476. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00465.x.CrossRef

U.S. Census Bureau. (2011). 2010 American community survey 5-year selected population tables, nativity by language spoken at home by ability to speak English for the population 5 years and over. Retrieved March 8, 2018, from, https://factfinder.census.gov.

Vander Stoep, A., McCauley, E., Flynn, C. F., & Stone, A. (2009). Thoughts of death and suicide in early adolescence. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior,39(6), 599–613. https://doi.org/10.1521/suli.2009.39.6.599.CrossRef

Wang, Y., & Kim, S. Y. (2013). Acculturation and culture: A critical factor for Asian Americans’ health. In G. Yoo, M. N. Le, & A. Oda (Eds.), Handbook of Asian American health (pp. 137–154). New York: Springer.CrossRef

Wong, P., Lai, C. F., Nagasawa, R., & Lin, T. (1998). Asian Americans as a model minority: Self-perceptions and perceptions by other racial groups. Sociological Perspective,41(1), 95–118.CrossRef

Wong, Y. J., & Maffini, C. S. (2011). Predictors of Asian American adolescents’ suicide attempts: A latent class regression analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence,40, 1453–1464. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9701-3.CrossRefPubMed

Wyatt, L. C., Ung, T., Park, R., Kwon, S. C., & Trinh-Shevrin, C. (2015). Risk factors of suicide and depression among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander youth: A systematic literature review. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved,26(2 Suppl), 191–237. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2015.0059.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Yee, B. W. K., Su, J., Kim, S. Y., & Yancura, L. (2009). Asian American and Pacific Islander families. In N. Tewari & A. N. Alvarez (Eds.), Asian American psychology: Current perspectives (pp. 295–315). New York: Taylor and Francis.

Zane, N., & Mak, W. (2003). Major approaches to the measurement of acculturation among ethnic minority populations: A content analysis and an alternative empirical strategy. In K. M.Chun, P. B. Organista, & G. Marin (Eds.), Acculturation: Advance in theory, measurement, and applied research (pp. 39–60). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.CrossRef

Title: Immigration and Language Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Asian American Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: So-Young Park
So-Youn Park
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00463-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Immigration and Language Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Asian American Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2020

Stigmatizing Beliefs About Depression in Diverse Ethnic Groups of Asian Americans

Associations Between the NIH Toolbox Adult Social Relationship Scales and Suicidal Ideation

Associations Between Two Domains of Social Adversity and Recovery Among Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses Being Treated in Community Mental Health Centers

Barriers in Seeking Psychological Help: Public Perception in Pakistan

Associations Between a History of Depression and Cognitive Performance Among Older Adults in Shandong, China

Is Religiosity Related to Suicidal Ideation Among Tunisian Muslim Youth After the January 14th Revolution?