Anger suppression, interdependent self-construal, and depression among Asian American and European American college students.
The present study tested a theoretical model of emotion regulation (Yap, Sheeber, & Allen, 2007) in a sample of Asian American and European American college students (N = 365). Specifically, the mediating role of anger suppression in the effect of temperament and family processes on depressive symptoms was tested across race and levels of interdependent self-construal (a culturally based self orientation emphasizing connectedness with others). Next, the moderation of the suppression-depression relation was tested by race and interdependent self-construal. Results indicated that the hypothesized model fit well across Asian American and European American students, as well as those with high versus low levels of interdependent self-construal. Anger suppression was a significant mediator of the hypothesized indirect effects on depressive symptoms. Moreover, race and interdependent self-construal moderated the suppression-depression link, such that Asian American status and a stronger interdependent self-construal attenuated the relation between anger suppression and depressive symptoms. Understanding both universal and culture-specific aspects of emotion regulation in the development of depressive symptoms will be essential for sound theory, future research, and effective prevention and intervention efforts across diverse populations.
Department of Psychology,University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
Rebecca Y M
RY
Cheung
Irene J K
IJ
Park
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult