The Interrelationship of Acculturation, Social Support, Coping, Spiritual Well-Being, English Proficiency, and Locus of Control to Psychological and Iranian Depressive Symptoms Among Iranian Immigrants

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This study examined the interrelationship of acculturation with the five above-mentioned variables to psychological and Iranian depressive symptoms among Iranian immigrants living in California. The 80 participants were from four religious groups: Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i. It was predicted that variables such as seeking social support, acceptance of responsibility, planned problem solving, knowledge of English language, spiritual well-being, and internal locus of control would be associated with less psychological and Iranian depressive symptoms. Further, Bi-cultural identification, the presence of hope, satisfaction, and feelings of belonging in the United States were also predicted to be associated with less psychological and Iranian depressive symptoms. Previous research also suggested that the younger, better educated Iranians with greater social and economic stability, with voluntary status of migration would report less psychological and Iranian depressive symptoms. The instruments included a personal questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Index, Internal/External Locus of Control, the Spiritual Well-Being, and the Ways of Coping scales. The data demonstrate the importance of Iranian immigrants' social and cultural integration to the host society. Immigrants with social support from spouses experienced less psychological and Iranian depressive symptoms. Religious belief brought forth certain habitual coping styles among Baha'is and Jews. Spiritual well-being significantly affected psychological and Iranian depressive symptoms, as well as level of acculturation. Many Muslims converted to Christianity. The conversion fostered their sense of control and their perceived sense of identity with the majority, but increased their underlying anxiety. Muslims experienced depression, paranoid ideation, and spiritual desolation. Immigrants with internal locus of control experienced 'Narahati'/discomfort. Those identified as bi-cultural used acceptance of responsibility and showed external locus of control. No relationship was found between demographic factors and psychological symptoms. This sample of immigrants tended to cope with their loss and deeper level of acculturation by longing for return and retention of their cultural identity. However, the unlikelihood of return has also made their social integration possible.