44.3 CRAZY STRESSED ASIANS: THEMES FROM DISCUSSION GROUPS SUPPORTING ASIAN/ASIAN AMERICAN TRANSITIONAL-AGED YOUTH

Abstract

Racism toward Asian ethnicities dates back to the 19th century. Such sentiments continue to have a presence and impact on Asian American youth. The objective of this presentation is to review the historical and current context of anti-Asian racism, understand how experiences of racism impact identity and mental health in Asian American youth, and identify approaches for clinicians to manage and treat Asian youth populations with cultural humility. The presenter will review the historical, social, and political contexts of anti-Asian racism in the United States and draw on themes and experiences gathered from facilitating university-based discussion groups among Asian/Asian American transitional-aged youth (TAY) students to explore the impact of anti-Asian racism and culture on mental health and identity. Throughout US history, perceptions of Asians as a threat to America, commonly termed the “yellow peril,” resulted in the passage of laws barring migration and naturalization, as well as executive orders resulting in internment of Asian citizens. Today, anti-Asian racism manifests in the perpetuation of the “model minority” stereotype and rising attacks on Asian people during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the facilitated discussion groups of Asian/Asian American TAY students, emerging themes include forms of violence experienced during COVID-19, issues with the model minority stereotype, burden of acculturation with subsequent loss of cultural identity, and cultural clashes between Eastern collectivist and Western individualist values. These themes reflect the ongoing struggles of Asian students reconciling one’s identity, self-esteem, connection to one’s family and community, and experiences of mental illness. Anti-Asian racism impacts Asian American youth in multiple ways, particularly on their development of identity, sense of self, and mental well-being. Mental health clinicians need to be aware of the history of anti-Asian racism and the ways it is expressed today, and to gain insight into our own biases in order to best treat our Asian American populations.