The long-term effects of perceived parental control and warmth on self-esteem and depressive symptoms among Asian American youth

Abstract

This study examined gender differences in the complex associations among parental control and warmth, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms, and the mediating effects of self-esteem and depressive symptoms in these associations among Asian American youth from adolescence to emerging adulthood. We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and focused on a subsample of Asian American youth (N = 1,363). Multigroup structural equation modeling was employed for the data analyses. Significant gender differences were found in the means of parental warmth, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms across time. There were significant mediating effects of early self-esteem and depressive symptoms on the associations between parental control and warmth and later self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Additionally, the path from self-esteem to depressive symptoms in adolescence differed between males and females. The study findings imply the importance of culturally appropriate parenting education programs that enhance self-esteem and mental health for both male and female youth in ethnically diverse communities.