44.2 A COCKTAIL OF RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA: THE SOUTH ASIAN YOUTH EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Racial discrimination toward minority ethnic groups is common in developed countries such as the United States. Discrimination toward South Asians (SAs) is no exception to this trend. The goal of this presentation is to teach participants the history of racial discrimination against SAs and religious discrimination against Muslim Americans in the United States, and how the intersection of racism and xenophobia impacts discrimination of SA youth. Participants will also review Erikson’s model of adolescent development and learn how racial and religious prejudice impact SA adolescent socialization and identity development. Participants will also learn practical approaches for exploring issues of discrimination with SA patients. The presenter will review the history of racial discrimination toward SAs in the United States and the history of religious discrimination toward Muslims in the United States, and explain how these 2 types of discrimination have overlapped for SAs. This will be followed by an overview of common experiences of discrimination for SA youth, and then using Erikson’s model of development, the presenter will discuss how the experience of discrimination can impact the developing SA youth identity, and the risk that this may confer for mental illness. The presenter will share clinical pearls for clinicians to explore topics of racial and religious prejudice with SA patients. The United States has a notable history of racial discrimination toward SA immigrants, and religious discrimination toward people of Islamic faith. Xenophobia toward Muslims has compounded the experience of racism for SA youth. The experience of discrimination against SA youth complicates the development of stable identity and predisposes to identity confusion, insecurity, and social isolation. There is benefit for clinicians to incorporate the exploration of racial and religious discrimination in the evaluation and treatment of SA youth. Discrimination toward SAs is multifaceted and includes rejection of both culture and faith. Due to pervasive racial and religious discrimination toward SAs, SA youth are vulnerable to experiencing several mental health complications. Hence, it is important for clinicians to be cognizant of issues of discrimination when treating SA patients to best understand and therapeutically navigate their mental health concerns.