Quality of Life Mediates Perceptions of Discrimination in Predicting General Distress Among Armenian Americans

Abstract

Few studies have examined the predictors of common mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression among Armenian American adults. The present research explores whether there is a direct relationship between perceived discrimination and anxiety and depression symptoms among members of this population, and whether perceptions of quality of life (QOL) mediate this association. A structural equation model was configured that related perceptions of discrimination and QOL to general distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms) with a convenience sample of 287 Armenian American adults. Results indicated that perceived discrimination positively predicted general distress. QOL perceptions were also found to partially mediate this relationship, with increases in perceived discrimination producing lower QOL perceptions that in turn were associated with greater general distress. Implications for future Armenian American research are discussed.