THE YIN AND YANG OF A BICULTURAL IDENTITY: EXPLORING EATING DISORDERS IN ASIAN AMERICAN YOUTHS

Abstract

This Clinical Perspectives explores cultural elements impacting Asian American (AA) youths and their families’ experience of eating disorders (EDs) to address the practice gap on effective identification, engagement, and treatment of EDs in AA youths. We will engage the audience in a discussion on: 1) the epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical presentations of EDs in AA youths; 2) cultural considerations in the presentation and treatment of EDs in AA youths, with a focus on acculturative stress and intergenerational cultural conflict; 3) research on the neurobiology of EDs and evidence-based treatment interventions; and 4) challenges and opportunities in recognizing and empowering cultural elements into therapeutic interactions with patients and families.