Culture, country of residence and subjective well-being: a comparison of South Asian mid-aged women living in the UK, UK Caucasian women and women living in Delhi, India

Abstract

South Asian populations represent the largest minority ethnic group in the UK. Subjective well-being (depressed mood and life satisfaction) in first generation mid-aged Asian immigrants originating from the Indian subcontinents (UKA) is examined and compared to that of UK Caucasian (UKC) and Indian (resident in Delhi) (DEL) women. Asian women (UKA and DEL) reported higher levels of depressed mood than the UKC sample, but UKA and UKC samples were more satisfied with their lives than the Delhi sample. Life satisfaction was associated with country of residence but depression was not. Overall depressed mood and life satisfaction were associated with ethnicity and socioeconomic variables (level of education and employment), but both were best predicted by general health. Qualitative data suggested similarities and differences in sources of life satisfaction, family and marriage were important across the three groups. UK Caucasian women also derived satisfaction from good health and work. The Asian women expressed particular concerns in relation to their children, while the DEL women also described more economic hardship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)(journal abstract)