Examining Depressive Symptoms and Use of Counseling in the Past Year Among Filipino and Non-Hispanic White Adolescents in California

Abstract

Objective We compared measures of depressive symptoms and use of counseling in the past year for Filipino versus non-Hispanic white adolescents in California. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from 4421 adolescents who completed the 2003 and 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Bivariate analyses, linear regression, and logistic regression were performed. Results Compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents, Filipino adolescents had higher mean 8-item version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores (5.43 vs 3.94) and were more likely to report a clinically significant level of depressive symptoms (defined as 8-item version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score >7) (29.0 vs 17.9%). Filipino adolescents are just as likely as their non-Hispanic white counterparts to report low use of counseling in the past year (17.6 vs 28.4%). Multivariate analyses indicate that depressive symptoms were positively associated with Filipino ethnicity, female gender, living in a single parent household, lower parental education, and poverty. The effect that ethnicity had on use of counseling in the past year varied by gender, income level, and parental education level. Filipino male adolescents with family incomes >300% federal poverty level and parents with more than a college degree were significantly less likely than their non-Hispanic white counterparts to report use of counseling in the past year (odds ratio, 0.01; confidence interval, 0.0004 – 0.44). Filipino female adolescents with family incomes <300% federal poverty level and parental education less than a college degree were significantly more likely to report use of counseling than their non-Hispanic white counterparts (odds ratio, 3.99; confidence interval, 1.00 –15.89). Conclusion Further studies and interventions are needed to effectively screen for and treat depression among Filipino adolescents.

Risk Factors of Suicide and Depression among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Youth: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Song et al found that female gender was associated with depressed mood among female Asian high school students, 34 Chen et al and Juang et al found that Chinese adolescent females had higher levels of depressive symptoms than males, 31,35 Javier et al found that Filipino females reported higher levels of depressive symptomology than males, 36 and Williams et al found an association between female gender and depressive symptoms among Japanese American adolescents. 37 …”

“…71 4) Family economic strain: Javier et al found that lower parental education and living in a single parent household were positively associated with depression among Filipinos. 36 …”

Prevention of Filipino Youth Behavioral Health Disparities: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Participating in “Incredible Years,” an Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention, Los Angeles, California, 2012

“…Filipino youths have a disproportionately heavy burden of behavioral problems, including higher rates of high school drop-out, depression, teen pregnancy, and substance use, compared with whites and other Asian subgroups. However, they are less likely to participate in mental health and preventive care interventions (6) and have significant mental health risk factors, including exposure to harsh parental discipline and parents who have their own high levels of unmet mental health needs (7). Barriers to help-seeking include 1) an intergenerational gap between Filipino parents and children and 2) cultural factors such as Filipinos’ tendency to passively accept the way things are ( bahala na ), to avoid shame ( hiya ) related to accessing mental health services, and to put the needs of family above personal desires (8–11).…”

Preliminary Validity of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory With Filipino Immigrant Parents

“…U.S.-born Filipino youth exhibit higher rates of behavioral health problems, such as substance abuse, depression, and suicide ideation; as well as for high risk behaviors resulting in elevated rates of adolescent pregnancy and HIV/AIDS infections (Javier et al, 2007; Javier, Lahiff, Ferrer, & Huffman, 2010). U.S.-born Filipino youth also attain significantly lower levels of education than their Philippine-born counterparts and other U.S.-born Asian American youth (Ogilvie, 2008).…”