Abstract
Health disparities affect immigrant adolescents, but the role of parental acculturation in immigrant adolescent mental health remains unclear. We examined associations of parental acculturation, social ties, and importance of cultural heritage with adolescent depression using data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (n=1,765). Adolescent depression was assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale and parental acculturation with English proficiency and preference for American way of life. Regression analysis results showed parental preference for American way of life to be associated with lower levels of adolescent depression, independently of other factors, but English proficiency had no association. Greater congruence in preference for American lifestyle between immigrant parents and their children appears protective for adolescent mental health. Understanding of different dimensions of parental acculturation and their relationships to adolescent mental health is key and warrants further research.
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