Bicultural identity integration, depressive symptoms, and emotional eating among Asian and Latino undergraduate students in the U.S.

Abstract

College students increasingly identify as bicultural. Bicultural identity integration (BII), the extent to which an individual can effectively manage their various cultural identities, has been associated with mental health, including depressive symptoms. However, few studies have examined the association between BII and eating behaviors among racial/ethnic minority students, even though these students are at high risk for disordered eating behaviors. The primary goals of the present study were to examine the association between BII and emotional eating, and whether depressive symptoms represent an indirect pathway in the association. Asian and Latino undergraduate college students in the U.S. (N = 497; age range: 18-46 years, M = 20.81) completed online standardized questionnaires assessing demographics, BII, depressive symptoms, and emotional eating. Higher scores on BII harmony, not blendedness, were associated with fewer depressive symptoms (r = - 0.16, p < .001) and less emotional eating (r = - 0.13, p < .001). Moreover, depressive symptoms were the indirect pathway between BII harmony and emotional eating (b = - 0.15, p = .003, 95%CI boot [- 0.25, - 0.05]), but not between BII blendedness and emotional eating (b = - 0.04, p = .42, 95%CI boot [- 0.15, 0.06]). The results can help inform counseling services about the need to address cultural harmony to promote healthy eating behaviors, mental health, and well-being among bicultural undergraduate students.