title: Depression and anxiety among Asian Americans: the effects of social support and strain.
abstract: It is almost taken for granted that social relationships benefit mental health, yet these relationships may not always be protective. This study examines how the support and strains individuals derive from family and friends may be related to depression and anxiety among Asian Americans. Data come from the 2002-2003 National Latino and Asian American Study, the first nationally representative study of mental health outcomes among Asian Americans (n = 2,066). Results indicate that family support was associated with decreased odds of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.) criteria for both major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among men and women. In addition, family strain was associated with increased odds of GAD equally among men and women. However, friend strain was associated with increased odds of GAD among women but not men, and family strain was marginally associated with increased odds of MDD for women but was unrelated for men. The findings affirm the need to consider social strain along with social support, as well as their sources, with attention to the potentially stronger effects of strain for women. Implications for social work practice are discussed.
authors: Department of Social Welfare, School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. sangalan@ucla.edu
authors: Cindy C
authors: CC
authors: Sangalang
authors: Gilbert C
authors: GC
authors: Gee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005195:Family Relations / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult