Immigration-related stressors and mental health problems: exploring the role of religious involvement among Asian-American immigrants

Abstract

Focusing on Asian-American immigrants in the National Latino and AsianAmerican Study, this work examines (1) whether immigration-related stressors areassociated with 12-month depressive disorder and suicidal ideation, and (2) howindividual religious involvement moderates the associations. Findings from regressionanalyses reveal that limited English proficiency increases the risk of both 12-monthdepressive disorder and suicidal ideation. No significant differences in 12-monthdepressive disorder and suicidal ideation are found by age at immigration. Mostimportantly, religious coping—frequently seeking comfort from religion—buffers thenegative effects of limited English proficiency on suicidal ideation. Our findingssuggest the importance of individual religious involvement in helping Asian-Americanimmigrants cope with stress associated with immigration. Mental health professionalsmay need to integrate religious coping mechanisms into the clinical setting to offer more effective treatments that are sensitive to individuals’ religious and spiritual needs.