Cultural Risk and Protective Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Asian American College Students

Adolescence is a time of grappling with one’s identity. Asian American college students in particular must navigate their dual cultural identities, as they develop in a dominant Western individualistic culture that prioritizes autonomy, but they also generally adhere to the cultural norms of their collectivistic family traditions. By identifying these cultural factors, the specific developmental challenges of this group can be better understood. Yet, few studies have synthesized the specific cultural factors associated with depressive symptoms and protective factors that might mitigate risk for Asian American college students. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to identify factors relevant to depression in Asian American college students. After applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 individual articles were included. The cultural risk factors for depression include high levels of perceived racial discrimination, acculturative stress, conflict in values, interdependence, and intergenerational differences. The cultural protective factors included possessing a strong ethnic identity, cultural individualism, and acculturation to the United States. This comprehensive review highlights the importance of cultural identity development in Asian American college students. Limitations include the relative dearth of high-quality research; future studies are needed to better understand the cultural developmental challenges of the Asian American college student community.