Does the perception of discrimination impact Asian American boundaries? An analysis of group threat and closure ideology

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research demonstrating increases in Asian-related hate crimes and reports of discrimination during COVID-19 have made clear that many Asian Americans are seeing their group as one under threat. However, few studies have sought to make clear what the implications of increased perceptions of group threat could be on the intergroup beliefs for Asian Americans. Using 2012 Pew Research data from a sample of 3,511 Asian Americans in the United States, the present study utilizes a series of logistic regressions to empirically assess the association between group threat on a number of outcomes related to racial group boundaries. Results demonstrate that believing discrimination is a major problem for members of one’s racial group is significantly related to indicators of a more restrictive group boundaries. Findings from this investigation provide insight into how Asian Americans may continue to reconfigure their boundaries in the face of ongoing perceptions of threat.