Perceived Discrimination and Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Symptoms: In Muslim American College Students

J Relig Health. 2019 Aug;58(4):1136-1145. doi: 10.1007/s10943-018-0684-1.

Abstract

Prior research has found that Muslim Americans' discrimination experiences are associated with increased risk of mental health problems. However, few studies have included Muslim American college students or identified moderators of this relationship. Among a sample of Muslim American college students (N = 141), the current study found that perceived discrimination was positively associated with MD and GAD symptom severity. Having a strong Muslim American identity exacerbated the relationship between perceived discrimination and GAD symptoms. The findings support practices to reduce discrimination toward Muslim American college students and the need for outreach to students with a strong Muslim American identity.

Keywords: Generalized anxiety; Major depression; Muslim Americans; Perceived discrimination.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / ethnology
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / ethnology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / ethnology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Discrimination, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Islam / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle East / ethnology
  • Prejudice
  • Religion and Psychology
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult