Analyzing Gender Differences in Factors Affecting Depression among Multicultural Adolescents in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Suicide is the topmost cause of death among adolescents in South Korea and is deeply related to depression. This study aimed to identify gender differences in the factors affecting depression among multicultural adolescents. This study is a secondary analysis using data from a national survey, the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS) conducted in 2017. The participants were 1160 multicultural adolescents ranging from 15 to 18 years, living in Korea, and whose fathers were Koreans and mothers were foreigners. The results showed that depression scores were higher for females (18.35) than males (16.38, t = 6.42, p < 0.001). In total, seven factors affected depression among male multicultural adolescents’ and the model explained 50.5% of the total variance (F = 77.99, p < 0.001), while four factors affected female multicultural adolescents’ depression, and the model explained 51.4% of the total variance (F = 100.02, p < 0.001). Significant gender differences were found in factors that influence depression among multicultural adolescents. Therefore, depression prevention programs for multicultural adolescents need to vary according to gender. Additionally, these programs should target families and teachers of multicultural adolescents as well.

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents: Insights From Cross-Sectional Inpatient Study

“…The discrepancy could be due to various biological and psychosocial disparities in females. While female counterparts experience variable adverse stressors, their temperament and response to these stressors play an integral part in the development of depression [19].…”

The Role of a Mentorship Program on the Relationship between Neglect and Depression among Adolescents in Low-Income Families

“…Despite these mixed findings on the association between socioeconomic status and depression, prevalence of depression has been found to be fairly common among South Korean adolescents, with prevalence rates ranging from across a number of studies [ 1 , 3 , 14 ]. Of note, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to increased depression among adults in South Korea and adolescents in other countries, including Australia, China, and the United States [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Such increases in depression have been particularly evident among low-income adolescents or among adolescents whose parents have experienced a job loss [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Researchers have found that experiencing parental neglect during adolescence is positively associated with adolescents’ depression [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. First, in a study of multicultural adolescents living in South Korea with a Korean father and a non-Korean mother, adolescents who reported that their parents engaged in a neglectful parenting style had higher depression than those who did not [ 6 ].…”

“…Researchers have found that experiencing parental neglect during adolescence is positively associated with adolescents’ depression [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. First, in a study of multicultural adolescents living in South Korea with a Korean father and a non-Korean mother, adolescents who reported that their parents engaged in a neglectful parenting style had higher depression than those who did not [ 6 ]. Further, in a longitudinal assessment of the effect of childhood and adolescent neglect and abuse on adolescent and adult depression, the researchers found that American adolescents who had experienced neglect were 2.49 times more likely to be diagnosed with major depression than those who did not experience neglect [ 4 ].…”

“…Depression is a common mental health issue experienced by adolescents in South Korea (e.g., [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]). Researchers have found that one contributing factor for high levels of adolescent depression is neglect by parents or caregivers [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. One intervention that has been found to be successful in reducing levels of depression among high-risk adolescents are formal mentorship programs, or programs where one person (the mentee) is matched with another person (the mentor) who provides support in various ways (e.g., [ 8 , 9 ]).…”