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

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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.

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  1. Ewha Institute for Age Integration Research, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea

    So-Young Park

  2. Department of Human Service, College of Knowledge and Information Service, Kyonggi University, San 94-6, Iui-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Sowon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15442, Republic of Korea

    So-Youn Park

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Park, SY., Park, SY. Immigration and Language Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Asian American Adolescents and Young Adults. Community Ment Health J 56, 139–148 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00463-z

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