Korean American Parental Depressive Symptoms and Parental Acceptance–Rejection and Control

Abstract

This study explored the relationships between Korean American parental depressive symptoms and parenting in 64 mothers and 35 fathers of adolescents 11 to 17 years of age. Using multiple regression after controlling for family income, both parents’ depressive symptoms were found to significantly influence their acceptance and rejection behaviors, explaining 14% of variance in the mother model and 47% of variance in the father model. Specifically, maternal depressive symptoms were found to significantly positively influence their hostility. Paternal depressive symptoms were found to significantly negatively influence their affection and positively influence their hostility, neglect, and undifferentiated rejection. Educating Korean American parents, especially fathers, regarding the possible influence of their depressive symptoms on their acceptance and rejection of their adolescents could be helpful.