Detrimental Effects of Discrimination on Mental Health in Asian Americans: Counteracting Roles of Religious Involvement

Few studies have examined the role of religious involvement as a potential protective factor in the mental health of Asian Americans. Using the first national sample from the National Latino and Asian American Study (2002-2003), this study explored the direct effect of religious attendance on the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and self-rated mental health in Asian Americans (n = 2,095), above and beyond that of discrimination and acculturation factors. Hierarchical regression models associated (a) gender and discrimination with generalized anxiety disorder, and (b) gender, employment status, English proficiency, and discrimination with self-rated mental health. Including religious attendance added explanatory power to both models, indicating its influence on mental health. There was no interaction between religious attendance and discrimination, suggesting a suppressing rather than stress-buffering effect of religious attendance. These patterns suggest future investigation in the relationship between religious involvement and mental health in relation to subcultural differences among Asian Americans.