Longitudinal study of stress, social support, and depression in married Arab immigrant women.
Karen Aroian, Nizam Uddin, Hazar Blbas
PMID 27791495WHAT IT FOUND
Earlier depression was the strongest sign of later depression in married Arab immigrant women followed for about three years.
Rising immigration stress and daily hassles went with more depression, while growing friend support and English reading went with less.
Key findings
01Time 1 depression was the strongest predictor of Time 3 depression.
02Increases in immigration demands and daily hassles were associated with higher Time 3 depression, while increases in friend support and English reading ability were associated with lower Time 3 depression.
03Univariate tests found no significant association between Time 3 depression and changes in husband support or family support.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was limited to married Arab immigrant women in metropolitan Detroit, all Muslim, with a child aged 11 to 15, so it may not apply to other Arab immigrant women or settings. Only 388 of 538 women provided data at all three time points, and the study did not collect information about women who declined, so selection bias is possible. Women were paid $60 each time, which may have attracted those seeking financial help or emotional support. Depression was measured by self-report symptoms, not clinical diagnosis. Family support was not separated into homeland versus resettlement country, so the study could not tell whether family support was practically available. Husband support scores were near the top of the possible range at Time 1, limiting how much they could change. The study was observational, so it cannot show that changing friend support, English reading, stress, or husband employment would change depression.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that increasing friend support or English reading will reduce depression. The study did not test these as treatments; it only followed women and observed associations.