The Longitudinal Effect of Friend Support on Depressive Symptoms from Adolescence to Young Adulthood Among Asian Americans

AI Summary

Adolescent friend support predicted reduced depressive symptoms at one to two year follow-up for Asian American females (β = -0.20) and males (β = -0.12).
In females, higher adolescent friend support predicted lower depressive symptoms in young adulthood, mediated by one to two year friend support and depressive symptoms.
Early depressive symptoms strongly predicted later depressive symptoms for both sexes, highlighting the need for early intervention in adolescent mental health.

AI Summary

We employed path analysis to determine if friend support in adolescence (Wave 1) predicted depressive symptoms in young adulthood (Wave 3) via friend support or depressive symptoms at a 1-2-year follow-up (Wave 2).

For females, higher friend support in adolescence predicted decreased depressive symptoms in young adulthood (β = -0.14, 95% CI = -0.27, -0.02), and this association was mediated by friend support and depressive symptoms after a 1-2-year follow-up.

Additionally, depressive symptoms in adolescence had consistent associations with depressive symptoms in young adulthood, prompting the importance to intervene directly on mental health during early stages of development.

Basic summary

Int J Behav Med. 2026 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s12529-026-10476-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While the relationship between friend support and mental health is well-established, it is unknown whether the protective influence of adolescent friendships lasts over time. This question is salient for Asian Americans, as they are more likely to seek support from their friends than family or formal sources. Females are also more likely to report higher friend support and mental health concerns than males. This study assessed how friend support in adolescence may predict mental health in young adulthood among Asian Americans by sex.

METHOD: We used the Asian American sample of respondents in the first three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) (n = 851). We employed path analysis to determine if friend support in adolescence (Wave 1) predicted depressive symptoms in young adulthood (Wave 3) via friend support or depressive symptoms at a 1-2-year follow-up (Wave 2).

RESULTS: Friend support in adolescence predicted depressive symptoms after a 1-2-year follow-up for Asian American females (β = -0.20, 95% CI = -0.31, -0.08) and males (β = -0.12, 95% CI = -0.21, -0.02). These associations were mediated by depressive symptoms in adolescence and friend support after a 1-2-year follow-up for both sexes. For females, higher friend support in adolescence predicted decreased depressive symptoms in young adulthood (β = -0.14, 95% CI = -0.27, -0.02), and this association was mediated by friend support and depressive symptoms after a 1-2-year follow-up. These associations were not seen for males. For both sexes, early depressive symptoms were strongly predictive of later depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION: We found partial support for the longitudinal influence of friend support on mental health among Asian Americans. Additionally, depressive symptoms in adolescence had consistent associations with depressive symptoms in young adulthood, prompting the importance to intervene directly on mental health during early stages of development.

PMID:42410103 | DOI:10.1007/s12529-026-10476-0

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