Unraveling the Relationship Between Racial Discrimination, Resilience, and Mental Health: A Study of Asian American Youth

Authors

  • Justin Byun Tenafly High School
  • Josephine Yoo Stuyvesant High School
  • Danny Paik Bergen County Academies
  • Justin Kim Tenafly High School
  • Cindy Huang Teachers College Columbia University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i3.7792

Keywords:

Asian American adolescents, racial discrimination, resilience, anxiety, depression

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between racial discrimination, resilience, and mental health outcomes (i.e., anxiety, depression) among 72 Asian American youth (Mage= 14.53 years). Results indicated that experiences of past year discrimination (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic-related discrimination) were significantly and positively associated with anxiety (β= 0.37, p < 0.001) and depression (β= 0.47, p < 0.001); entire life discrimination was significantly and positively associated with anxiety (β= 0.37, p < 0.001) and depression (β= 0.52, p < 0.001) among Asian American adolescents. Resilience was significantly and negatively associated with anxiety (β= - 0.42, p < 0.001) and depression (β= - 0.50, p < 0.001). A significant interaction emerged, suggesting that when Asian American youth reported high levels of entire-life discrimination and resilience, they were more likely to experience anxiety (+1 SD; β= 0.60, p < 0.001). While resilience emerged as an important protective factor against anxiety and depression overall, the interaction suggests that in contexts that lack social and structural support, resilience may come at a cost for Asian American adolescents facing discrimination. Future research and practice must consider multidimensional approaches that support resilience at individual and systemic levels to promote the well-being of racially minoritized adolescents. 

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Published

08-31-2024

How to Cite

Byun, J., Yoo, J., Paik, D., Kim, J. H., & Huang, C. (2024). Unraveling the Relationship Between Racial Discrimination, Resilience, and Mental Health: A Study of Asian American Youth . Journal of Student Research, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i3.7792

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HS Research Articles