Acculturation, social support and suicidal ideation among Asian immigrants in the United States

Abstract

This study examined suicidal ideation among Asian immigrant adults in the United States, with consideration of the roles of acculturation and social support. Using the 2002-2003 National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), I conducted latent class analysis with measures of U.S. cultural orientation and Asian ethnic affiliation to create a multidimensional construct of acculturation. Three acculturation groups were identified (assimilated, integrated, separated) that showed different associations with suicidal ideation. Then I analyzed how the association between acculturation status and suicidal ideation is moderated by social support, distinguishing between perceived versus received support. Findings revealed that the buffering role of social support is gender-specific, with perceived support from friends reducing the risk of suicidal ideation only among assimilated women. Implications for future research include further application of acculturation as a multidimensional construct to various health outcomes and behavior as well as to other immigrant subgroups. Public health intervention efforts aimed at preventing suicide should endeavor to promote perceptions of an available social support system among immigrants and aid in establishing sources of support outside the family particularly for immigrant women.

Sociodemographic and precipitating circumstances associated with suicide among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: A survival analysis.

“…In one study, M. J. Kim (2021) found family cultural conflict positively associated with suicidal ideation among Asian immigrants in the United States. In that sample, Asian immigrant women in assimilated groups showed the highest score of family cultural conflict and the lowest score of family cohesion, demonstrating unmet familial expectations, and a lack of belongingness in one's family (Augsberger et al, 2018;M.…”

Patterns of Suicide and Suicidal Ideation in Relation to Social Isolation and Loneliness in Newcomer Populations: A Review

“…Four of the included articles looked at social support and social engagement on the health and wellbeing of migrants. Articles looked at a variety of anglo-sphere countries including the USA, Australia, and Canada [25,27,28]. The articles show that there exists a positive relationship between social engagement in the country immigrated to and quality of life [27].…”

“…Articles looked at a variety of anglo-sphere countries including the USA, Australia, and Canada [25,27,28]. The articles show that there exists a positive relationship between social engagement in the country immigrated to and quality of life [27]. Social engagement in cultural settings similar to the country immigrated from also serves as a protective factor and decreases suicidality, when compared to assimilated individuals who were not socially connected with these cultural groups [27].…”

“…The articles show that there exists a positive relationship between social engagement in the country immigrated to and quality of life [27]. Social engagement in cultural settings similar to the country immigrated from also serves as a protective factor and decreases suicidality, when compared to assimilated individuals who were not socially connected with these cultural groups [27]. This suggests that it is not simply social connection, but rather the type and meaningfulness of the connection is a vital component of social integration and wellbeing.…”

Influence of Cultural Values and Integrational Acculturation Differences on the Behavioral Health Treatment of Asian American Immigrant Children in the COVID-19 Era

“…Native-born children continuously renegotiate their cultural identities as they gain independence; navigating biculturalism, family hierarchy, and expectations and difficulty communicating with parents are common sources of stress. 23 Generational gaps in acculturation can engender family conflict and predict and/or mediate depression, 24,25 risk factors for suicide, 26,27 and other negative behavioral, educational, and health outcomes. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] In addition, recent studies suggest that instability in parent-child relationships specific to AAPI immigrant groups and acculturational-related conflict exacerbate psychological distress.…”