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Family Qualities, Self-Deprecation, and Depressive Symptoms of Zoroastrian Young Adults in Immigrant Families

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine family qualities and self-deprecation in relation to depressive symptoms of young adult Zoroastrians from immigrant families in North America. Using snowball sampling and online surveys, self-report data were collected from 171 Zoroastrian young adults (i.e., 18–30 years old) about their perception of cohesion in their families, conflict with their parents, and the extent that they met parental general expectations (e.g., not embarrassing the family). The findings from a path analysis showed that parent–child conflict and meeting parental expectations were indirectly related to depressive symptoms through self-deprecation. Also, higher family cohesion predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms among Zoroastrian young adults. These results are similar to findings in studies with non Zoroastrians. The results suggested prevention and interventions to decrease depressive symptoms could target self-deprecating thoughts as well as perceived family dynamics.

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Author Contributions

Scott Plunkett, Ph.D., and Farin Bakhtiari, M.A., planned and implemented the study. Ms. Bakhtiari was responsible for participant recruitment and data collection. David Alpizar, M.A., ran the statistics and wrote the results. Dr. Plunkett and Ms. Bakhtiari wrote the rest of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. General Experimental Psychology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA, USA

    Farin Bakhtiari

  2. Department of Psychology, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA, 91330-8255, USA

    Scott. W. Plunkett

  3. Department of Education Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA

    David Alpizar

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  1. Farin Bakhtiari
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  2. Scott. W. Plunkett
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  3. David Alpizar
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Correspondence to Scott. W. Plunkett.

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Bakhtiari, F., Plunkett, S.W. & Alpizar, D. Family Qualities, Self-Deprecation, and Depressive Symptoms of Zoroastrian Young Adults in Immigrant Families. J Immigrant Minority Health 19, 645–654 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0476-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0476-1

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