Korean American adolescent ethnic-identity pride and psychological adjustment: Moderating effects of parental support and school environment.

Abstract

Researchers have consistently reported positive relationships between psychological adjustment and ethnic identity or related elements such as ethnic-identity pride. However, few efforts have been made to determine whether such links are context-dependent. Here we apply person-environment fit theory to examine whether associations between ethnic-identity pride and psychological adjustment (in terms of depression and self-esteem) vary across families and school environments for a sample of 225 Korean American adolescents (M age ϭ 13.97 years). Results indicate a positive relationship between ethnicidentity pride and self-esteem, but only in the context of strong parental support. No association between the same 2 factors was noted for the school support context. No variance was found for patterns involving ethnic-identity pride and depression for either family or school environment contexts.

Influencing Factors of Depression among Adolescent Asians in North America: A Systematic Review

“…A total of twenty-eight (34.6%, 28/81) studies addressed the relation between depressive symptoms and at least one ascribed indicator [ 32 , 35 , 36 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. Six (7.4%, 6/81) studies examined the correlation between age and depressive symptoms [ 35 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 49 , 54 ]. Of these, four (4.9%, 4/81) studies found that depressive symptoms increased with age [ 35 , 42 , 43 , 54 ], while another found depressive symptoms to decrease with age [ 44 ].…”

“…Six (7.4%, 6/81) studies examined the correlation between age and depressive symptoms [ 35 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 49 , 54 ]. Of these, four (4.9%, 4/81) studies found that depressive symptoms increased with age [ 35 , 42 , 43 , 54 ], while another found depressive symptoms to decrease with age [ 44 ]. One study found age to not be associated with depressive symptoms [ 49 ].…”

“…Acculturative stress refers to the negative psychological impact of this process [ 57 ]. A total of thirteen (16%, 13/81) studies addressed the influence of acculturative stress, or related factors such as length of stay and acculturative coping mechanisms, on depressive symptoms [ 33 , 38 , 43 , 47 , 49 , 51 , 57 , 61 , 62 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. Of these, six (7.4%, 6/81) studies consistently found that acculturative stress was related to greater reporting of depressive symptoms, particularly low self-esteem and somatic symptoms [ 33 , 38 , 43 , 49 , 57 , 62 ].…”

“…Family size was of interest since it is the main form of social support for many Asian adolescents. A total of five (6.2%, 5/81) studies addressed the association of depression with living situations (i.e., household size, economic situation) [ 32 , 43 , 55 , 62 , 77 ]. One study found a negative correlation between living with both parents and symptoms such as suicidal thoughts and distress [ 32 ].…”

“…Regarding socioeconomic status, four (4.9%, 4/81) studies addressed its influence on depressive symptoms [ 43 , 55 , 62 , 77 ]. One found that socioeconomic status was not significantly correlated with depressive symptoms [ 62 ], while the other found it to be a negative predictor of depression [ 43 ]. Similarly, adolescent perception of financial constraint was correlated with increased depressive symptoms [ 55 , 77 ].…”