The Generic Cognitive Model for Depressive Symptoms and its Specificity in Chinese Migrants: A Structural Equation Model

Aim: This study tested a structural model based on the generic cognitive model (GCM, Beck & Haigh, 2014), examining the relationships between migrants stress, ethnic identity, brooding, mindfulness, negative automatic thoughts, behavioural avoidance, and depressive symptoms.

Method: A cross sectional design was used to collect data from 2016 to 2017. A convenience sample of 399 Chinese migrants across Australia was recruited. The inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥ 18, and (2) first or second generation Chinese migrants and international students across Australia. Participants completed the Demand of Immigration Stress, Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure –Revised, Negative-Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-8 item version, Behavioural Activation for Depression Scale -9 item version, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale-6 item scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Results: Structural equation modelling in Mplus was used to test a series of models investigating relationships between aspects of migrant stress, ethnic identity, mindfulness, components of the GCM, and depression symptoms. The analysis revealed that migrant stress was associated with more brooding, which was associated with more negative automatic thoughts and behavioural avoidance which, in turn, were associated with more depression. Aspects of ethnic identity also appeared to contribute to brooding. The potential for mindfulness to moderate these relationships was explored.

Conclusions: These findings provide support for the GCM within Chinese migrants. Migrant stress, aspects of ethnic identity, brooding, negative automatic thoughts, and behavioural avoidance appear to be important factors contributing to depression vulnerability within this population. Implications for prevention and intervention programs for depression are discussed.

References:

Beck, A. T., & Haigh, E. A. P. (2014). Advances in cognitive theory and therapy: The generic cognitive model. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 10, 1-24. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032813-153734