Differential Associations of Religious Involvement with the Mental Health of Asian-American Subgroups: A Cultural Perspective.
In the USA, Asian-Americans (AA) constitute the fastest growing ethnic minority group, in which heterogeneous religious patterns and acculturation experiences can impose significant impacts on their mental health. Using national data, the present study examined the contributions of religious involvement and social support to self-rated mental health (SRMH) of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipinos. Findings demonstrated cross-group variations, with Filipinos reporting the highest levels of SRMH, acculturation, and discrimination. However, religious involvement was associated with better SRMH in the least religious Chinese subgroup but not in the most religious Filipino subgroup. Social support predicted SRMH for both Chinese and Vietnamese subgroups. The differential religious patterns in the more acculturated generations between the two AA subgroups suggest religious assimilation as part of their acculturation in the context of divergent immigration experiences.
Florida State University, 2570 University Center Building-C, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA. amyai8@gmail.com.
Amy L
AL
Ai
University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA, USA.
Hoa B
HB
Appel
University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA.
Ethel G
EG
Nicdao
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
Immigration history; National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS); Religious involvement and acculturation; Self-rated mental health; Social support; Subcultural differences among Asian-Americans