Parental Acceptance, Depressive Symptoms, and Self-esteem Among Korean American Youth: Mediating Effect of Positive Communication

Abstract While depression is a common form of psychological distress during adolescence, empirical evidence suggests a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among Korean American (KA) adolescents, with some studies indicating that KA youth fare worse than their East Asian American peers. This study investigates the complex associations among parental acceptance, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms and the mediating effect of positive communication in the association between parental acceptance and psychological well-being (self-esteem, depressive symptoms) among KA youth. The data came from a cross-sectional survey of 339 KA youth aged 12 to 18. Descriptive, correlations, and path analysis were used for data analyses. Path analysis results indicated that all the path coefficients in the model were statistically significant. The mediating role of positive communication on the associations among parental acceptance, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem were confirmed. Educating KA immigrant families about the potential risks associated with parental acceptance-rejection can help parents understand the negative consequences of parental rejection on adolescents’ mental health. Preventive strategies focusing on enhancing intrafamilial communication, parental acceptance, and promoting effective coping skills related to family conflicts can guide KA families toward more adaptive solutions rooted in mutual understanding and shared connection.