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Interactive Effect of Immigration-Related Factors with Legal and Discrimination Acculturative Stress in Predicting Depression Among Asian American Immigrants

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Abstract

This study examined the impact of discrimination and legal acculturative stress on Major Depression Episode lifetime among Asian American immigrants. It further examined the role of immigration related-factors (age at immigration, reason for immigration, and years spent in the U.S.) on the relationship of acculturative stress and Major Depression Episode lifetime. The National Latino and Asian American Study 2002–2003 dataset was used. The study findings were: (1) high discrimination and legal acculturative stress were associated with Major Depression Episode lifetime; (2) age at immigration buffered the relationship of discrimination acculturative stress and Major Depression Episode lifetime as well as the relationship of legal acculturative stress and Major Depression Episode lifetime; and (3) years spent in the U.S. buffered the relationship of discrimination acculturative stress and Major Depression Episode lifetime only. These findings highlight the complex relationship of factors that impact the mental health of the Asian American immigrants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Recreation Professions, College of Health Sciences, University of Toledo, Mail Stop #119, HH1016, 2801, W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH, 43606-3390, USA

    Shipra Singh

  2. School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 2822 SPH I, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA

    Amy Jo Schulz

  3. Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104-3028, USA

    Harold W. Neighbors

  4. Vanderbilt University, 300 Calhoun Hall, Nashville, TN, 37235-1665, USA

    Derek M. Griffith

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  1. Shipra Singh
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  2. Amy Jo Schulz
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  3. Harold W. Neighbors
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  4. Derek M. Griffith
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Correspondence to Shipra Singh.

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Singh, S., Schulz, A.J., Neighbors, H.W. et al. Interactive Effect of Immigration-Related Factors with Legal and Discrimination Acculturative Stress in Predicting Depression Among Asian American Immigrants. Community Ment Health J 53, 638–646 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0064-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0064-9

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