The paper titled “Depression and Anxiety among Asian Americans: The Effects of Social Support and Strain,” authored by Cindy C. Sangalang and Gilbert C. Gee, published in the *Social Work* journal in 2012, explores the relationship between social support, social strain, and the prevalence of depression and anxiety among Asian Americans. This study utilizes data from the 2002-2003 National Latino and Asian American Study, which is the first nationally representative study focused on the mental health outcomes of Asian Americans, with a sample size of 2,066 individuals.
The research findings highlight the significant role of family support in reducing the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among both male and female participants. Specifically, family support was found to be a protective factor, associated with a lower incidence of both MDD and GAD. Conversely, family strain was associated with an increased risk of GAD in both genders, indicating that negative interactions within the family can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Interestingly, the study found that while family strain increased the risk of GAD for both men and women, it was only significantly associated with an increased risk of MDD in women. This suggests that women may be more sensitive to the negative effects of family strain on depressive symptoms. Additionally, strain in relationships with friends was linked to a higher risk of GAD in women but showed no significant correlation with anxiety disorders in men.
These findings underscore the complex interplay between social support and social strain, emphasizing that while positive social interactions can serve as a buffer against mental health issues, negative interactions, particularly within the family, can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression. The study also suggests that women may be more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of social strain, particularly in familial and friendship contexts.
The paper discusses the implications of these findings for social work practice, highlighting the need for interventions that not only bolster social support networks but also address sources of social strain. This dual focus is crucial for effectively reducing the risk of depression and anxiety among Asian Americans, particularly in the context of familial relationships where cultural expectations and obligations may contribute to both support and strain.
In conjunction with this study, another related research titled *”Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Americans: A Study of Immigration-Related Factors”* points to the significant role that immigration-related stressors play in the mental health outcomes of Chinese Americans. The study suggests that higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among Chinese Americans may be linked to the psychological stress experienced by individuals who face cultural conflicts and difficulties adapting to new cultural environments.
These studies emphasize the importance of considering both social support and social strain in understanding the mental health of Asian Americans. They highlight the need for culturally sensitive approaches in mental health care that address the unique challenges faced by this population, particularly the stresses associated with family dynamics and the immigrant experience. For practitioners in social work and mental health fields, these findings suggest that interventions should focus on enhancing positive social supports while also identifying and mitigating sources of social strain that may disproportionately affect Asian American women and those experiencing immigration-related stress.
References
Sangalang, C.C. and Gee, G.C. (2012) ‘Depression and Anxiety among Asian Americans: The Effects of Social Support and Strain’, Social work (New York), 57(1), pp. 49–60. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swr005.
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