Social Support and Depression

Among Asian-American Adults

The Relationship between Social Support and Depression among Asian-American Adults

There is evidence to suggest that Asian-Americans are less likely than European-Americans to seek social support for depression. As several studies suggest a direct link to perceived social support and depression recovery, it is important to address the reasons why Asian-Americans are reluctant to seek support. Specifically, the more social support perceived -- to include support from family, friends, and spiritual or religious beliefs -- the more likely a person is to recover from depression; however, there is also evidence to suggest that certain types of support can actually exacerbate depression in Asian-Americans.

For the purposes of this paper, I will present a literature review of five academic articles addressing the subject of social support and depression among Asian-Americans. The primary concerns of the articles include:

What cultural differences inform the reluctance to...
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