Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation from Adolescence to Young Adulthood in Chinese American and Filipino American Youth

Objective: This study examines differences in the longitudinal relationships between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in Asian American subgroups across three developmental stages. Method: Data were obtained from three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health for a subsample of Chinese American and Filipino American youth. The data were analyzed using multigroup structural equation modeling. Results: The structural model with complex mediational chains showed longitudinal differences in depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation between Chinese American and Filipino American youth. Although the magnitudes of these effects differed, early depression and suicidal ideation were associated with later depression and suicidal ideation in both Asian American subgroups. Group differences in the mean scores of depressive symptoms were observed during adolescence and young adulthood. Filipino American youth were at higher risk of depressive symptoms during adolescence and young adulthood than their Chinese American counterparts. Conclusions: The results suggest that the developmental associations between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation differ between Chinese American and Filipino American youth over time. Implications for understanding mental health disparities among Asian Americans and providing culturally competent mental health interventions are discussed.