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Background: Rates of suicide remain elevated among U.S. Veterans and have increased disproportionately among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Veterans. Knowledge is limited regarding suicide prevention considerations for clinicians working with AAPI Veterans, yet culturally responsive strategies tend to be most effective. To address this gap, we sought to elucidate subject matter experts' perspectives regarding suicide prevention considerations for AAPI Veterans. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 key informants (e.g., clinicians, researchers) in 2023 to understand their experiences with, and recommendations for, preventing suicide among AAPI Veterans in the Continental U.S. Interview transcripts were analyzed through thematic analysis, with an inductive approach. Results: Key informants discussed the heterogeneity of the AAPI population and emphasized the need to balance cultural sensitivity and cultural humility in suicide prevention with AAPI Veterans. Fear of bringing shame and dishonor upon one's family was described as a factor which may prevent AAPI Veterans from disclosing mental health concerns and suicide risk and which may prevent them from accessing healthcare services for mental health and suicidality. Suicide risk among AAPI Veterans was viewed as being shaped by shame and the centrality of the family-collective, with family conferring both protection against and risk for suicide. Cultural norms and beliefs regarding suicide were considered pertinent to suicide among AAPI Veterans and included beliefs about perseverance in coping with distress to permittance of suicide in specific circumstances. Somatic idioms were described as a means by which AAPI Veterans may communicate distress and suicidality, with key informants discussing how this may impact treatment and outreach. Conclusion: Key informant interviews provided crucial insights into cultural factors salient to conceptualizing and addressing AAPI Veterans' risk for suicide. These findings can be utilized to inform tailored suicide prevention for this population, with emphasis on addressing mental health stigma, considering somatic idioms of distress, and considering the role of family in suicide risk and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the escalation of xenophobia amid the COVID-19 pandemic by analyzing data obtained from an online survey conducted with Asians and Asian Americans (n = 333) in Western New York, United States. The findings illustrate that people of Chinese or Asian descent encountered diverse manifestations of xenophobic attitudes during the pandemic and implemented individual and/or collective coping mechanisms. The study introduces a severity scale to understand and classify various xenophobic manifestations and experiences, ranging from subtly biased conduct to more harmful overt actions. The initial phases of xenophobic expressions involve deliberate avoidance of racialized individuals, such as changing seats on the bus, and verbal antagonism, such as making inappropriate jokes. These experiences were prevalent, particularly among Asians within the sample. Subsequent phases of the scale outline progressively severe manifestations of xenophobia, culminating in the denial of fundamental rights like housing and employment, along with instances of physical harassment. Ultimately, the study underscores how these xenophobic encounters may contribute to a diminished sense of belonging within American society for individuals who were subjected to xenophobic expressions. By shedding light on the various forms and intensities of xenophobia experienced by people who are perceived as Asians and attacked during the pandemic, this research enhances our understanding of diverse forms of xenophobic behavior and the implications of such incidents on individuals' perceptions of their belonging and social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite decades of national efforts to increase students' participation and success in STEM, bachelor's degrees in STEM continue to notably lag the labor force demand. Asian students represent one group that disproportionately contributes to the share of STEM degrees. Understanding their experiences can help to illuminate ways of increasing STEM success overall. This study focuses on two research questions: (1) How do Asian women and men fare compared to their White counterparts regarding two outcomes: STEM major preference and STEM degree attainment? (2) How do a host of academic and psycho-social factors contribute to the observed gender-race differences in the two outcomes? Analyses from Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 indicate that compared to White men, Asian men are more likely to prefer a STEM major, whereas Asian women are less likely to do so. However, Asian women are more likely to prefer a STEM major than White women. The Asian-White differences within each gender group are fully explained, albeit through distinct mechanisms for men and women. When it comes to STEM degree attainment, there are no differences between Asians of both genders and White men. However, White women have a lower likelihood of pursuing STEM degrees compared to White men, even after considering a host of mediators. The findings reveal different mechanisms that contribute to the observed differences and highlight the importance of simultaneously considering race and gender for understanding inequalities in STEM education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friendship racial homophily, the tendency to form friendships with individuals who share the same racial background, is a normative developmental phenomenon that holds particular significance for youth of color in a racialized society. Yet, there exists a paucity of longitudinal research elucidating the stability and change of friendship racial composition across developmental span. This study aimed to examine the friendship racial homophily trajectories over a six-year period encompassing four time points. The sample comprised 437 Asian American youth (MAge = 16.52, SDAge = 1.36, 53% female), with 197 Filipino and 240 Korean participants. Using logistic multilevel modeling analyses, it was found that both Filipino and Korean American youth demonstrated an increase in friendship racial homophily from high school to college, but that Filipino youth overall reported lower levels of racial homophily compared to their Korean counterparts. The study findings also pinpointed several influential factors impacting these trajectories, including proficiency in heritage languages, ethnic identity, and encounters with racial discrimination from both White Americans and other People of Color. These results highlight the continuous evolution of friendship racial composition from high school to college and emphasize the crucial role of ethnic identity and experiences of discrimination in influencing these dynamics, with ethnic identity exerting more enduring effects and experiences of discrimination showing more situational impacts on the levels of racial homophily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have identified the relationship between perfectionism and body image. However, the relationships between perfectionistic tendencies and body image instability are not yet well understood in different ethnic/racial groups. Building on recent evidence indicating that body image instability is associated with maladaptive psychological symptoms among young adult women, the present study tested a hypothesized hierarchical regression model in which facets of perfectionism in the general and physical appearance domains were examined as predictors of body image instability among Asian American (n = 181) and European American (n = 173) young adult women. For both ethnic/racial groups, the models by which facets of perfectionism in the general and physical appearance domains predicted body image instability revealed a similar pattern. Specifically, doubts about actions perfectionism in the general domain and worries about imperfection in the physical appearance domain predicted greater body image instability across both Asian American and European American young adult women. The present findings clarify facets of perfectionism in the general and physical appearance domains that predict body image instability among Asian American and European American women and point to how perfectionistic doubts about actions and worries about not having the perfect appearance are centrally implicated in this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To supply proper and sufficient information and coaching through cancer education, it is important to decide who are risk groups among a target population. A decision tree analysis could help decide the characteristics of the risk groups. This study aimed to identify the combined characteristics of Asian American breast cancer survivors that were closely linked to high needs for help during their breast cancer survivorship process. The data on the needs for help among 185 Asian American breast cancer survivors from a parent clinical trial were included in this analysis. The instruments included the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34 (SCNS-SF34) and multiple scales to measure the factors influencing the women's needs for help. The data were analyzed using latent profile analyses and decision tree analyses. The characteristics of the group with the highest needs for help were different depending on the types of needs. For instance, the group with the highest patient care/support needs for help score had high global symptom distress scores (cut point = 2.25) and high physical symptom distress (cut point = 1.57) and did not have regular access to health care (mean = 95.00; node 10). The findings suggest several risk groups to target in future interventions for cancer education to reduce the needs for help among this specific population. Multiple factors that could influence the needs for help among Asian American breast cancer survivors need to be considered in future intervention development for cancer education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Partner violence (PV) among Asian American women is a significant problem, with a reported lifetime prevalence of 16–55% in this population. Sociocultural values, such as loss of face and acculturation, are associated with differences in how Asian American women respond to PV, such as being less likely to disclose their victimization and more likely to remain in an abusive relationship. The purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of cultural factors on in-the-moment behavioral intentions, risk perception, and perceived likelihood of staying in the abusive relationship among Asian American college women. Method: Participants (N = 324) were presented with a progressively threatening PV vignette. We tested three path models, each assessing the associations among loss of face, acculturation, current and future risk perception, perceived likelihood of staying in the relationship, and one of three behavioral intentions (soothe, escape, or escalate/resist). Results: Depending on time and context, loss of face may be a risk factor, whereas acculturation may be a protective factor impacting Asian American college women's behavioral intentions and risk perception of PV. Conclusion: This is the first study to examine impact of sociocultural variables on multiple in-the-moment behavioral intentions and risk perceptions of Asian American college women in response to PV. Our findings can inform campus-wide PV prevention and intervention efforts for Asian American college women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, Asian and Pacific Islander (A/PI) communities have faced significant discrimination and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the association between discrimination and depression, anxiety, and loneliness symptoms among Asian or Pacific Islander adults (n = 543) using data from a 116-item nationally distributed online survey of adults (≥ 18 years old) in the United States conducted between 5/2021–1/2022. Discrimination was assessed using the 5-item Everyday Discrimination Scale. Anxiety, depression, and loneliness symptoms were assessed using the 2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder, 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and UCLA Loneliness Scale—Short form, respectively. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association between discrimination and mental health. Overall, 42.7% of participants reported experiencing discrimination once a month or more. Compared with no discrimination, experiencing discrimination once a month was associated with increased odds of anxiety (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.38–4.77), depression (aOR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.46–4.56), and loneliness (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.75–4.67). Experiencing discrimination once a week or more was associated with even higher odds of anxiety (aOR = 6.90, 95% CI = 3.71–12.83), depression, (aOR = 6.96, 95% CI = 3.80–12.74), and loneliness (aOR = 6.91, 95% CI = 3.38–13.00). Discrimination is detrimental to mental health, even at relatively low frequencies; however, more frequent discrimination was associated with worse mental health symptoms. Public health interventions and programs targeting anti-A/PI hate and reducing A/PI mental health burden are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated racism experienced by Asian Americans, especially women and older individuals. Little is known about how discriminatory experiences during the pandemic have influenced health behaviors among Asian Americans. Between 10/2021 and 6/2022, we surveyed 193 Asian American women in the San Francisco area. Participants were asked to report types of discrimination they experienced since March 2020. We explored bivariable associations of discrimination and changes in health behaviors and healthcare utilization. Most women were Chinese American (75%) and over 45-years-old (87%). The top three discriminatory experiences reported were being treated with less respect (60%), being treated unfairly at restaurants/stores (49%), and people acting as if they are better (47%). Chinese American women (vs. non-Chinese Asian American women) reported higher frequencies of being threatened/harassed (40% vs. 22%). Women who reported any discriminatory experience (vs. none) were more likely to report less physical exercise (42.7% vs. 26.3%) and canceling/rescheduling medical appointments (65.0% vs. 45.1%). Our findings begin to elucidate Asian American women's experiences of discrimination since the pandemic and provide evidence of the harmful impacts of anti-Asian racism on health behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minoritized ethnic groups experience both delay to treatment and low rate of treatment contact for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To date, Asian Indian Americans have been excluded completely from ADHD help-seeking research. To fill this void, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used to investigate the influence of race/ethnicity on parents' help-seeking intentions for their child's elevated ADHD symptoms. Parents (n = 191, 53% Asian Indian American, 47% European American; 63.9% fathers) of treatment naïve children at high risk for ADHD completed an online survey to assess their recognition of ADHD, knowledge of ADHD etiology, attitudes towards ADHD treatment, subjective norms regarding ADHD treatment, perceived control over their ADHD help-seeking behavior, and intention to seek help for their child's elevated ADHD symptoms. Hierarchical linear regressions demonstrated that perceived behavioral control independently predicted intention to seek help in the total sample and may be more impactful for European American parents than Asian Indian American parents. In contrast, subjective norms were more influential for help-seeking intentions among Asian Indian American parents. However, attitudes towards ADHD were not significantly associated with the intention to seek help among both ethnicities. Asian Indian American parents endorsed lower levels of biopsychosocial etiology beliefs. Together, the results inform possible methods of increasing treatment engagement for both groups of parents who have children at high risk for ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: The objective was to determine if Asian racial identity was associated with the selection of surgical versus nonsurgical treatments for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). Secondarily, we aimed to determine if there were other demographic or clinical characteristics associated with treatment selection patterns. Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study that examined new patient visits (NPVs) of Asian patients at an academic urogynecology practice in Chicago, IL, USA. We included NPVs with primary diagnoses of anal incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, or pelvic organ prolapse. We identified Asian patients with self-identified racial identity recorded in the electronic medical records. Every Asian patient was age matched to white patients in a 1:3 ratio. The primary outcome was surgical versus nonsurgical treatment selection for their primary PFD diagnosis. Comparison of demographic and clinical variables between the two groups and multivariate logistic regression models were performed. Results: A total of 53 Asian patients and 159 white patients were included in this analysis. Asian patients were less likely to be English speaking (92% vs 100%, p=0.004), endorse history of anxiety (17% vs 43%, p<0.001), and report history of any pelvic surgery (15% vs 34%, p=0.009) than white patients. When controlling for race, age, history of anxiety, depression, prior pelvic surgery, sexual activity, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory, Colorectal–Anal Distress Inventory, and Urinary Distress Inventory scores, Asian racial identity (adjusted odds ratio 0.36 [95% CI 0.14–0.85]) was independently associated with decreased likelihood of choosing surgical treatments for PFDs. Conclusions: Asian patients with PFDs were less likely than white patients to undergo surgical treatment for their PFDs despite similar demographic and clinical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: The objective was to evaluate whether younger age was associated with noncare-seeking behavior among Asian Americans with pelvic floor symptoms, and secondarily, to explore multilevel factors that may contribute to noncare-seeking behavior in this population. Methods: We performed a concurrent mixed methods study and heterogeneously sampled Asian Americans with urinary incontinence, urgency-frequency, vaginal bulge, or anal incontinence. We stratified the participants into two groups, care seekers vs noncare seekers. Using Anderson's model as the main framework, we administered validated questionnaires and conducted semi-structured interviews to explore factors associated with care-seeking behaviors. Results: Seventy-eight surveys and 20 interviews were completed and analyzed. Most participants reported urinary leakage (67%), followed by urinary urgency-frequency (50%), anal incontinence (18%), and vaginal bulge (17%). The mean age of the study cohort was 46.1 ± 16.2 years. We found noncare seekers to be younger and with an increased proportion of lifetime spent in the USA than care seekers. When controlling for age, proportion of lifetime spent in the USA, symptom severity, and individual-level resources, both younger age and increased proportion of lifetime spent in USA remained independently associated with noncare-seeking behavior. From qualitative data, we found that noncare seekers often experienced anti-Asian racism across workplace, neighborhoods, and health care settings. Additionally, noncare seekers also reported symptom minimization and decreased self-efficacy when coping with their pelvic floor symptoms. Conclusions: We found that one's age and proportion of lifetime spent in the USA may affect the extent of exposure to anti-Asian racism that is associated with symptom minimization, increased perceived barrier, and noncare-seeking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide appropriate and adequate information and support for Asian American breast cancer survivors, it would be essential to identify risk groups among them to target in future cancer education interventions. In this secondary analysis, the characteristics of risk groups within Asian American breast cancer survivors who had low quality of life were identified using a decision tree analysis. For this analysis, only the pre-test data of 185 women from a parent study were selected. Multiple instruments including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-Breast Cancer (FACT-B) were used in the parent study. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and decision tree analyses. The decision tree analyses showed six combined characteristics associated with lower quality of life scores than the total mean quality of life scores. For instance, the women with lower quality of life scores (than the total mean quality of life scores) had high perceived barriers (cut point = 1.84), low self-efficacy for coping (cut point = 81.50), and high global symptom distress (cut point = 2.27). Also, the characteristics linked to the lowest quality life scores were different depending on the dimensions of the quality of life. The characteristics associated with the quality of life of Asian American breast cancer survivors need to be considered in future education programs for this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiation and completion between Asian American adolescents and their peers. Methods: HPV vaccine initiation and completion of adolescents aged 9–17 years old were analyzed using the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey data from 2011 to 2018. The outcomes were HPV vaccine initiation percentage among all adolescents and completion percentage among initiators. Odds ratios for initiation or completion among Hispanics, Blacks, and Asians (referred to as racial/ethnic minorities) versus Whites were compared using logistic regression, adjusted for adolescent's age, annual family income, parent education, and insurance coverage. Results: From 2011 to 2018, overall initiation was less than 40% among U.S. adolescents. The initiation increased among boys (from 10% in 2011–12 to over 30% in 2017–2018) but not among girls. Compared to White girls, Black and Hispanic girls were more likely, while Asian girls were less likely to initiate vaccination. Although not statistically significant, Asian girls had ORs ranging from 0.65 to 0.99 for initiation compared to White girls in each of the four survey cycles. Black and Hispanic boys were more likely to initiate vaccination compared to White boys. Initiation among Asian boys increased to 39% in the 2017–2018 survey cycle. Racial/ethnic minority girls were less likely to complete the series compared to White girls, while the opposite was seen in Black boys. Conclusion: HPV vaccination status varies among racial/ethnic groups. Future efforts should be made to achieve the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80% vaccination among U.S. adolescents and address the gap among Asian American girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perceived importance of data in society has led to a surge in interest towards data science education. This article seeks to build on existing literature concerned with the sociopolitical, cultural, and ethical dimensions of data science education by considering the salience of two interrelated concepts discussed in Asian and Asian American studies and postcolonial studies: techno-Orientalism and the Filipino mimicry stereotype. These concepts describe the positioning of Asians and Asian Americans, and Filipinos in particular, as performance machines who are adept at copying the ideas of dominant groups but incapable of innovation themselves. This article situates techno-Orientalism and the Filipino mimicry stereotype within broader conversations around postcolonial data politics and then argues for the possibility of including these concepts in data science education curricula. Finally, this article discusses Gaskins's techno-vernacular creativity as one path for resisting techno-Orientalist and mimicry discourses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although existing research suggests there are differences in the expression of suicidal ideations (SI) and behaviors among various ethnic groups, few studies have examined cultural risk factors among racially and ethnically diverse adolescents. This study employed a qualitative analysis of semi-structured suicide assessments of European American (EA), Asian American (AA), and Hispanic American (HA) adolescents to explore the types of cultural risk factors that are reported within school-administered suicide risk assessments. Cultural factors previously noted in the literature and several new factors were found. The results yielded a relationship between suicide risk and protective factors related to the family system. Specifically, family support was found more frequently in EA adolescent suicide assessment records, in contrast to family rejection and the family wanting the SI to be kept quiet from others being found more frequently in AA records. Furthermore, lack of sense of belonging, perceived burdensomeness, and perfectionism were found more frequently in AA and HA records compared to EA records. Since previous research on risk and protective factors have largely been conducted with adult populations, this study highlights the existence of cultural risk and protective factors in a racially diverse sample of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empathy is an essential component of positive human interaction driven in part by parenting. Most research on parents' role in empathy focuses on child and adolescent samples. Thus, the present study examined the relations between current maternal behaviors (warmth and behavioral control) and empathic concern of European-American and Asian-American college-going emerging adults residing in the U.S. Gender (male/female) was explored as a moderator. Participants included 606 (69.6% women, 79.5% European American) undergraduate students ages 18–29. Gender and ethnic differences were observed: (a) emerging-adult women reported greater levels of empathy than did emerging-adult men, and (b) European Americans reported greater levels of empathy than did Asian Americans. Maternal warmth was related positively to empathy, maternal behavioral control was related negatively to empathy, and Maternal Warmth x Gender was significant with the maternal warmth-empathy relation being stronger for men than women. Implications and future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian Americans have a unique positionality in higher education because they are racially marginalized while being overrepresented in some science and technology fields. Being stereotyped as the “model minority,” Asian Americans’ experiences and job outcomes differ from both the majority and other racial minority groups. However, there is limited research on their experiences in higher education, particularly regarding job attitudes. We studied the experiences of Asian American scholars to understand their job attitudes compared with scholars with different racial/ethnic identities and the impact of inclusive academic climates on those attitudes. We conducted a national survey of early-career scholars (i.e., doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and assistant professors) in four science fields (two each in the natural and social sciences). Our analysis of the sample (N = 2866) showed that Asian American scholars had lower professional role confidence and work withdrawal than scholars in all other racial groups and also lower affective job commitment than scholars from other racial minority groups. Citizenship was significantly associated with work withdrawal, indicating its potential role in lower work withdrawal among Asian American scholars who were disproportionately foreign nationals. Doctoral students had lower commitment and professional role confidence than assistant professors but were more confident than postdocs. Inclusive departmental and professional field climates positively shaped job attitudes and helped to reduce racial differences among early career scholars. This research extends the current understanding about the experiences of Asian American scholars and highlights racial differences in job attitudes in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is scant research on how Asian American adolescents' resiliency relates to mental well-being in adulthood. The objective of this study was to determine the prospective associations between resiliency factors (individual, family, and school community) in adolescence and mental health outcomes in adulthood, among a national sample of Asian Americans. We analyzed data from 1020 Asian American adolescents who were followed for 14 years in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Of the resiliency factors, individual self-esteem (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 0.54, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.37–0.79) and family connectedness (AOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65–0.93) in adolescence were found to be protective against adult mental health outcomes in logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic factors and baseline mental health. Our study identified individual and family resiliency factors which can be leveraged to help Asian American adolescents and families in cultivating better mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family is uniquely influential in the health of young Asian Americans (AAs), yet little is known on the impact of specific shared family activities. This study explores different types and frequencies of AA young adult shared family activities on perceived familial influence on the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle (diet, physical activity, sleep, social relationships, stress, and risky substances). A nationwide sample of 18–35-year-old AAs was surveyed in March 2021 on a list of 30 shared family activities with mothers, fathers, siblings, or extended family. Overall, 984 unique family relationships reported by 616 young AAs were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis synthesized a reliable two-factor (routine, leisure activities) 10-item Shared Activities with Family (SAF) scale. Mothers were most influential (mean 3.25, SD = 1.14), although shared activities among South Asians or with extended family were most associated with changes in perceived influence. Routine shared activities were more strongly associated with perceived influence on sleep, diet, and risky substances, while leisure shared activities were more associated with influence on developing healthy social relationships. Family-based, dyadic interventions for young AAs may incorporate shared activities (both routine and leisure) to promote healthy behaviors, although further research to explore mechanisms and directionality of influence is needed to inform action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of the Asian American population presents challenges for theories of bloc voting, partisan voting, and descriptive representation. What cues (if any) do Asian American voters rely on? How informative are racial and partisan cues to Asian American voters. This article looks at the candidate preferences of Asian American voters in the 2018 election. I look at elections where an Asian American candidate was on the ballot and compare outcomes within district to the gubernatorial race (a race with no minorities on the ballot). I use surname-coded voter registration records and precinct-level vote returns to estimate Asian American candidate preferences as a racial group and by national-origin. I find strong evidence of national-origin preferences (i.e. Vietnamese for a Vietnamese candidate) among Asian American voters. In instances where the national-origin of the candidate and the national-origin of the voter did not align, voters seem to rely on partisan cues. National-origin preferences are sufficient enough that in one instance voters switched parties within the same election to vote for a candidate of the same national-origin. These findings have implications for theories of minority vote choice and challenges the existing literature on the strength of partisan cues (replication data can be found at: https://sites.google.com/view/vivienleung/research). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A qualitative study using basic interpretive design identified the experiences of stress and barriers to professional help seeking among Filipino Americans (N = 12). Filipino Americans employed both engagement and disengagement strategies in response to stress characterized by Indigenous, religious, and cultural responses. Filipino Americans preferred to seek support from friends, family, and community leaders and described individual, cultural, and community barriers to pursuing professional mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how knowledge and attitudes about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening differs among Asian immigrants is important for informing targeted health interventions aimed at preventing and treating CRC in this diverse population. This study examines how Asian subgroup and acculturation are associated with CRC knowledge and attitudes among Chinese and Korean immigrants in the United States (U.S.). Data come from the baseline survey of a randomized controlled trial to increase CRC screening among Chinese and Korean American immigrants living in the Baltimore–Washington DC Metropolitan Area (n = 400). We use linear regression to examine how Asian subgroup, time in the U.S., English-speaking proficiency, and ethnic identity are associated with CRC knowledge and screening attitudes, accounting for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, and health insurance status. Results show that greater socioeconomic status was associated with higher CRC knowledge, and socioeconomic status explained more of the variance in CRC knowledge than acculturation factors. Additionally, attitudes varied by Asian subgroup, with Chinese reporting lower CRC screening salience, worry, response efficacy, and social influence compared to Koreans. Findings suggest that in-language interventions aimed at increasing CRC knowledge and capitalizing on attitudes about screening can help to bridge disparities in CRC screening by socioeconomic status and country of origin. We discuss implications for future interventions to increase CRC screening uptake among Chinese and Korean immigrants in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans. However, few studies have documented supportive care needs from the perspective of Asian American cancer patients. This study describes the needs reported by Asian American patients with colorectal, liver, or lung cancer over a 6-month period during their treatment. Methods: Participants were recruited through the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry and from cancer care providers in San Francisco. Participants self-identified as Asian or Asian American; were age 21 or older; spoke English, Chinese, or Vietnamese; and had stage I–III colon, rectum, liver, or lung cancer. Participants were matched with a language concordant patient navigator who provided support during a 6-month period. Needs were assessed by surveys at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Results: Among 24 participants, 58% were 65 years or older, 42% did not complete high school, and 75% had limited English proficiency (LEP). At baseline, the most prevalent needs were cancer information (79%), nutrition and physical activity (67%), language assistance (54%), and daily living (50%). At the 3- and 6-month follow-up surveys, there was a higher reported need for mental health resources and healthcare access among participants. Conclusion: In this pilot study of Asian American cancer patients who predominantly had LEP, participants reported many needs, with cancer information and language assistance as the most prominent. The findings highlight the importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate patient navigators in addressing supportive care needs among cancer patients with LEP. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03867916. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite improvements in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in New York City (NYC) since the early 2000s, the degree to which disparities persist for specific Asian American subgroups has yet to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study is to examine disparities in rates of timely colonoscopy screening among five racial/ethnic groups in NYC. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of combined 2014–2018 NYC Community Health Survey data. Prevalence estimates of timely colonoscopy screening (within the past 10 years) among individuals ≥ 50 years of age were calculated and presented overall (n = 24,288) and by socio-demographic variables. Racial/ethnic categories included White, Black, Hispanic, East Asian, and South Asian. Multivariable models examined socio-demographic and racial/ethnic predictors of timely colonoscopy screening. A trend analysis examined colonoscopy screening by race/ethnicity and year from 2012 to 2018 (n = 33,130). Age-adjusted prevalence of timely colonoscopy screening was lowest among Asian Americans (South Asian 61.1% and East Asian 65.9%) compared to Hispanics (71.3%), Blacks (70.2%), and Whites (68.6%). Adjustment by socio-demographics, including insurance status, further explained disparities for South Asians (adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73–0.97) compared to Hispanics; additionally, Whites (adjusted RR=0.88, 95% CI = 0.84–0.92) were less likely to have received a timely colonoscopy compared to Hispanics. Age, health insurance, poverty group, and education were significant predictors in adjusted regression. Results indicate that South Asians have not equally benefited from campaigns to increase colonoscopy screening in NYC. Our findings support the development of targeted, and linguistically and culturally adapted campaigns that facilitate access to health systems and leverage existing community assets and social support systems among South Asian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the first ethnographic study focusing on Asian American women’s experiences in electoral politics. It has three important contributions to the literature on Asian Americans’ panethnicity and political engagement. First, I illuminate the specific gendered and racialized position Asian American women occupy in the US formal political process today. I argue that, despite the ethnic differences or their long tenure in politics, the sexism within their panethnic or ethnic communities combined with racism from the non-Asian populations lead to their “doubly marginalized” position in politics. Second, I highlight the different stereotypes of East/Southeast Asian women and South Asian women operating in politics, offering a nuanced analysis of the racism targeting various Asian ethnicities, particularly those of women. Last, I expand the literature on panethnicity by demonstrating the emergence of a “gendered” Asian American panethnicity among Asian American women, which is less frequently discussed in the literature. Despite coming from different ethnic backgrounds, the similar experiences of sexism and racism among Asian American women enable their specific gendered panethnic solidarity, leading to their support of other Asian American women in politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term ‘parentification’ describes role-reversed family processes when children provide care to their parents and family. Given the fact that race and ethnicity are among the least considered factors in the past research on parentification, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of parentification of young Asian American adults within their sociocultural context using the contextual therapy theory. Eight individuals (five identified as Hmong, two as lu Mien, and one as Filipino), seven females and one male, ages ranging from 24 to 29, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis from which the predominant themes of early and extensive parentification experiences as children of immigrant parents, strong influences of cultural expectations, and lost childhood and identity emerged. Furthermore, the study participants complied with gender-based cultural role expectations to help their families survive. Clinical implications and study limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neighborhood disadvantage is a developmental context that may contribute to Asian American adolescent internalizing problems, yet there is a dearth of longitudinal studies as well as examination of cultural protective factors. Co-ethnic density, or the proportion of individuals of the same racial/ethnic background in the neighborhood that is often cited as a protective factor for racial/ethnic minority groups, has not been adequately examined in Asian American youth. This study examined the longitudinal association between cumulative neighborhood risk and internalizing behavior, and the moderating role of sex and co-ethnic density using an Asian American subsample (N = 177; 45.2% female; ages 10–12, 14–15; Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Samoan, Vietnamese, and other ethnic backgrounds) of a longitudinal panel study over a span of 6 years. Cumulative neighborhood risk during early adolescence (ages 10–14) was significantly associated with internalizing behavior at mid-adolescence (age 15) controlling for prior levels of internalizing behavior. There was no evidence of moderation by co-ethnic density or sex, indicating that reducing neighborhood disadvantage may be a promising preventive measure to address mental health problems for both sexes of Asian American adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this cross-sectional survey, we examined the direct and indirect mental health help-seeking experiences and relevant psychological factors in Asian American, multiracial American, and White American emerging adults aged 18–25 years old. The study sample consisted of 384 Asian American (249 women, 135 men), 244 multiracial American (172 women, 72 men), and 245 White American (190 women, 55 men) emerging adults, who were recruited from a four-year public university in the state of Hawaiʻi of the United States (U.S.). Results revealed that Asian American and multiracial American emerging adults were less likely to: (a) have previous experience of seeking professional psychological services: (b) have been prescribed, or are currently taking, a psychotropic medication; (c) know someone close to them who had sought psychological services; or (d) know someone close to them who was diagnosed with a psychological disorder, compared to their White American peers. We also discuss implications of the present findings, limitations of the study, and future directions in this line of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-being of the family caregivers of people with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) is a crucial success factor in the recovery of the afflicted family member. This cross-sectional quantitative study examined the associations between the use of formal mental health services, self-efficacy, and positive attitudes and their effects on the well-being of Asian American family caregivers of people with SMIs. Using convenience and snowball sampling, 116 Asian American family caregivers of people with SMIs in Northern California were recruited for this study. We found that formal mental health service utilization predicted an enhanced sense of self-efficacy. Higher levels of self-efficacy were related to attitudes being more positive, and these positive attitudes contributed to enhanced overall well-being. These findings suggest that mental health professionals should develop culturally competent and tailored services for Asian American family caregivers to support self-efficacy, which is fundamental to maintaining positive attitudes and promoting wellness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States (US). Prior DM prevalence estimates in Asian Americans are predominantly from Asians aggregated into a single group, but the Asian American population is heterogenous. Objective: To evaluate self-reported DM prevalence in disaggregated Asian American subgroups to inform targeted management and prevention. Design: Serial cross-sectional analysis. Participants: Respondents to the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys who self-identify as non-Hispanic Asian American (NHA, N=57,001), comprising Asian Indian (N=11,089), Chinese (N=9458), Filipino (N=9339), Japanese (N=10,387), and Korean Americans (N=2843), compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW, N=2,143,729) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB, N=215,957) Americans. Main Measures: Prevalence of self-reported DM. Univariate Satterthwaite-adjusted chi-square tests compared the differences in weighted DM prevalence by sociodemographic and health status. Key Results: Self-reported fully adjusted DM prevalence was 8.7% (95% confidence interval 8.2–9.3) in NHA, compared to 14.3% (14.0–14.6) in NHB and 10.0% (10.0–10.1) in NHW (p<0.01 for difference). In NHA subgroups overall, DM prevalence was 14.4% (12.6–16.3) in Filipino, 13.4% (10.9–16.2) in Japanese, 10.7% (9.6–11.8) in Asian Indian, 5.1% (4.2–6.2) in Chinese, and 4.7% (3.4–6.3) in Korean Americans (p<0.01). Among those aged ≥65 years, DM prevalence was highest in Filipino (35.0% (29.4–41.2)) and Asian Indian (31.5% (25.9–37.8)) Americans. Adjusted for sex, education, and race/ethnicity-specific obesity category, NHA overall had a 21% higher DM prevalence compared to NHW (prevalence ratio 1.21 [1.14–1.27]), while prevalence ratios were 1.42 (1.24–1.63) in Filipinos and 1.29 (1.14–1.46) in Asian Indians. Conclusions: Adjusted self-reported DM prevalence is higher in NHA compared with NHW. Disaggregating NHA reveals heterogeneity in self-reported DM prevalence, highest in Filipino and Asian Indian Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrimination against Asians and Asian Americans increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, even prior to the pandemic, little research explored the experiences of Asian American families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This brief report summarizes the results of a survey conducted between May and July 2020, in the immediate aftermath of state and local lockdowns due to the pandemic. Twenty-five Asian American caregivers of children with autism and other developmental disabilities completed the survey and reported on the pandemic's impact on their household. Most of the caregivers were mothers, immigrants, Chinese, raising children with autism, and highly educated. Participants' primary concerns were the disruption of their children's educational and therapeutic services. We discuss research limitations and implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examines how neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) and ethnic composition are associated with breast cancer risk for Asian American women. Methods: We linked individual level data from a population-based case–control study of breast cancer among Asian American women with neighborhood level data in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area (cases: n = 118, controls: n = 390). Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between nSES, ethnic composition, and odds of having breast cancer. Results: Asian American women living in neighborhoods with high nSES and high ethnic composition had the highest odds of breast cancer, compared to those living in neighborhoods with high nSES and low ethnic composition (OR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.16–0.75]) or in neighborhoods with low nSES and high ethnic composition (OR = 0.37, 95% CI [0.17–0.83]). Discussion: Neighborhood socioeconomic and ethnic contexts are associated with breast cancer for Asian American women. We discuss explanations and avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organ donation rates in the United States are lowest among Asians. Physicians are highly respected in Asian communities and may be influential in promoting donor registration, but little is known about their organ donor registration attitudes. We assessed associations between knowledge, attitudes, personal/professional experience, cultural/religious beliefs surrounding organ donation and donor registration status using multivariable logistic regression. We surveyed 121 Asian physicians in Queens, New York; 22% were registered donors. Registered donors were more likely to discuss donation wishes with their family (OR 9.47, 95% CI 2.60–34.51), know that donor human leukocyte antigen does not need to match organ recipients (OR 6.47, 95% CI 1.66–25.28), and have experience advising patients about organ donation (OR 5.35, 95% CI 1.50–19.02). Culturally tailored educational materials providing updated information to promote family discussion about organ donation could potentially increase Asian physicians' level of comfort and expertise in discussing organ donor registration with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While numerous studies have examined the effect of a co-ethnic candidate on the ballot for African Americans and Latinos, Asian Americans remain understudied in this regard. With the growth of Asian American voters nationwide, empirical questions prevail: Does the presence of an Asian American candidate on the ballot spur Asian American turnout or like other minority communities, is the demographic composition of a district the central mobilizing mechanism? Can we expect country of origin subgroups of Asian Americans such as Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Japanese, and Korean Americans voters to mobilize or does such cohesion not exist? Using surname-matched vote returns from the California state assembly across four election years, I examine the constraints and opportunities for pan-ethnic and national origin Asian American turnout in the presence of a co-ethnic candidate. I find that Asian American candidates have a measurable increase on pan-ethnic turnout, but conditional on the percentage of Asian Americans in the district. Across national origin groups, the effect of a co-ethnic candidate varies. The findings suggest Asian American voting behavior is highly nuanced and markedly distinct from other minority voters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic assessment of the effect of COVID-19 on the food retail environment—an important determinant of health—has not been conducted. Our objective was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on closures of restaurants, food retail stores, and fresh produce vendors in New York City (NYC). We conducted a cross-sectional study following the peak of COVID-19 in six neighborhoods in NYC. Two Chinese ethnic neighborhoods and four higher/lower resourced comparison neighborhoods were selected a priori based on 14 sociodemographic indicators. The primary outcome was indefinite/temporary closures or absence of food businesses. Of 2720 food businesses identified, produce vendors and restaurants were more likely to close than food retail stores. A higher proportion of food businesses closed in Chinese ethnic neighborhoods vs. comparison neighborhoods. COVID-19 impacted food businesses in six NYC neighborhoods examined in this period, with the greatest effect observed for Chinese ethnic neighborhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian American women, both immigrant and US-born, are known to have low mammography screening rates. To reduce health disparities and address community health needs, we undertook a systematic review to identify factors that affect mammography uptake among Asian American women following a mammography screening intervention. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases and selected 12 studies that met our inclusion criteria. We identified 22 relevant factors and developed a new conceptual model that comprehensively captures these sociodemographic; cultural; knowledge, attitude, and perception; health history; health care accessibility and availability; and intervention factors, including components and mode of intervention. This conceptual model can be used to guide development of interventions that effectively promote mammography screening. Future research should focus on the effect of acculturation on screening behaviors and the importance of culturally tailored intervention and information-sharing elements to improving mammography screening among Asian Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated emerging adults' retrospective accounts of the family and peer socialization in relation to possible sexual double standards. With a sample of 672 ethnically diverse emerging adults (M = 19.4 years; 51% female), we tested whether recalled socialization messages about dating liberally (i.e., dating multiple persons) predicted women's and men's current preferences to date liberally (i.e., to date multiple persons) and dating relationship experiences (number of lifetime sexual partners and current romantic satisfaction). As expected, recalled socialization messages predicted current attitudes about dating liberally; and current attitudes were negatively related to relationships satisfaction and positively to number of sexual partners. Ethnicity moderated the association between gender and socialization to date liberally. Findings highlight the potential of families and peers to influence relationship attitudes and outcomes within diverse cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the structural inequities facing communities of color and its consequences in lives lost. However, little is known about the COVID-related disparities facing Asian Americans amidst the heightened racism and violence against this community. We analyze the mortality toll of COVID-19 on Asian Americans using multiple measures. In 2020, one in seven Asian American deaths was attributable to COVID-19. We find that while Asian Americans make up a small proportion of COVID-19 deaths in the USA, they experience significantly higher excess all-cause mortality (3.1 times higher), case fatality rate (as high as 53% higher), and percentage of deaths attributed to COVID-19 (2.1 times higher) compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Mounting evidence suggest that disproportionately low testing rates, greater disease severity at care presentation, socioeconomic factors, and racial discrimination contribute to the observed disparities. Improving data reporting and uniformly confronting racism are key components to addressing health inequities facing communities of color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents in an increasingly diverse U.S. must contend with how confident or efficacious they feel in transmitting culturally-relevant messages to their children. The current study centers on this understudied concept of cultural parenting self-efficacy (PSE) and examines how efficacy related to three separate tasks of heritage, American, and bicultural socialization is associated with child grade, parental involvement with their children, and key demographic variables (e.g., child gender, parent gender, family socioeconomic status). Parents (65% fathers; 78% U.S.-born) of at least one child in grade 6–12 provided survey data through an online study. Parents were from Latinx (n = 158) and Asian American (n = 61) backgrounds. Using Mplus, path analyses suggest that, among Latinx parents, lower bicultural socialization efficacy is associated with greater child grade. Among both Latinx and Asian parents, higher parental involvement is associated with higher cultural PSE (related to heritage, American, and bicultural socialization tasks). Further, for both American and bicultural PSE, Latinx parental involvement interacted with the negative effect of child grade suggesting that parent-child involvement could counteract possible challenges to efficacy. The results point to cultural PSE as an additional layer of complexity to understand in light of cultural socialization among families from minoritized backgrounds. Further implications are discussed in light of parenting and family adjustment. Highlights: Cultural parenting self-efficacy (confidence in ethnic-racial socialization) is a key feature of parenting. Among Latinx families, lower bicultural socialization efficacy is linked to higher child age. Among Latinx and Asian families, parent-child involvement is related to higher cultural socialization efficacy. In some cases, parental involvement can counteract developmental challenges to cultural parenting self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian and Asian American students face culture-specific mental health risk factors, and the current study aims to examine whether a culture-specific community intervention in the form of a conference is an effective modality for psychoeducation in the Asian American community. Participants were assessed for reported changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior intentions related to mental health after attending the conference. A total of 118 conference participants filled out the survey. Participants reported changes in knowledge regarding mental health issues, generational differences, and the effects of culture. Participants also reported having a more open attitude towards mental health, having greater acceptance of mental health issues in themselves and others, and realizing that mental health issues are a community issue. Lastly, participants reported changes in behavior intentions such as communicating more with friends and family, engaging in perspective-taking, participating in advocacy and activism on mental health issues, and taking care of themselves and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian American students are underrepresented in special education, a state of affairs that threatens their access to academic resources. We propose that student race may influence educators' likelihood of recommending them for special education services. In two studies, participants working in the field of education (total N = 1195) read a realistic, hypothetical observational behavioral report that described a struggling student. The student's race (White or Asian) and area of difficulty (Reading or Math) were manipulated between subjects. Regardless of subject area, participants were less likely to recommend Asian American than White American students for learning disability evaluation. We speculate that the difference is based on stereotypes that Asian American students are too academically successful to struggle. Such lack of recommendation, if it occurs in the classroom, could potentially contribute to the underrepresentation of Asian American students in special education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Including diverse participants in biomedical research is essential to reduce health disparities. We assessed the inclusion of Asians in original research studies conducted in North America and published from 2015-2016 in six high-impact generalist journals: New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), JAMAInternal Medicine, JAMA Pediatrics, Annals of Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics. We determined race reporting method, participant percentage, and reporting of outcomes or implications of findings for Asians and Asian subgroups. Of 1077 studies, 263 articles (24.4%) identified Asians as a distinct race/ethnicity; the median percentage of Asians per study was 3.8%. Of the 263 articles, 28 (10.6%) studies reported outcomes for Asians; nine (3.4%) articles included information about Asian subgroups. Asians are underrepresented in high-impact medical research studies in North America. Efforts to improve study enrollment, data collection, and reporting of findings of Asians in studies remain essential to improve health outcomes for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian Americans represent an understudied racial category in health disparity research. Using data from the National Asian American Survey, we examined self-rated health (SRH) disparities in eight Asian subgroups compared to Whites, explored the moderating effect of nativity status, and investigated the mediating effect of socioeconomic status. None of the Asian subgroups fared better than Whites. Across Asian subgroups, South Asians, Japanese, and Filipinos had the best SRH, with Cambodians being the most disadvantaged. Nativity was a significant moderator in that SRH disadvantages were only manifested among immigrants for Chinese, Korean, Hmong, and Vietnamese and only among natives for Filipinos. For most groups showing SRH disadvantages, SES played partial mediating roles. Education showed a higher explanatory power than income for inter-ethnic SRH disparities. Contrary to popular perception, Asian Americans are not the model minority in terms of SRH. Cultural influences on SRH reporting biases were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrants tend to live in areas with higher co-ethnic density, and the effect of neighborhood ethnic composition could be particularly salient for health. This study explored associations between neighborhood ethnic composition and self-rated health among Asian immigrants. We analyzed data collected at baseline from 670 Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants enrolled in a lifestyle intervention trial. Residential addresses were geocoded and combined with neighborhood socio-demographic profiles based on census data. We used generalized estimating equations to examine neighborhood ethnic composition and self-rated health. Independent of individual-level factors, living in neighborhoods more densely populated by whites was associated with poor/fair self-rated health. Neighborhood household income and density of participants' own ethnic group were not associated with poor/fair self-rated health. More research is warranted to disentangle reasons why Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants living in white-concentrated neighborhoods reported poorer self-rated health, including investigating effects of discrimination, relative deprivation, and availability of social resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study sought to examine the prospective relationship of peer victimization on changes in Asian American youth's depressive symptoms during early adolescence, a crucial period for the development of depression and engagement in peer victimization among youth. Further, as guided by cultural–ecological frameworks, the current study also sought to examine the role of school-based peer support and gender as moderators on the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms among this understudied population. Participants included Asian American youth (N = 232; M age = 12.96, SD = 1.40; 51% girls) who completed questionnaires in the school context. Data for this study included two measurement occasions over a 1-year interval. Results indicated that high levels of adolescents' perceptions of peer victimization were associated with increased levels of depressive symptoms 1 year later. Additionally, results indicated that peer victimization interacted with reports of peer support within school, such that under conditions of moderate to high levels of school-based peer support, high levels of peer victimization related to increased depressive symptoms. Findings contribute to our understanding of the development of depressive symptoms among early adolescent Asian American youth and have implications for school-based depression prevention programming for Asian American youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian immigrant-origin youth (IOY) are a large and growing population within the United States (U.S.). Yet, despite the high prevalence of mental health concerns, limited research has examined sources of stress that may lead to mental health concerns among Asian IOY. Further, despite low levels of mental health service use, no studies have directly explored the perceptions of Asian IOY about barriers to mental health service use generally. Hence, using a qualitative approach, this study sought to examine the perceptions of Asian IOY regarding sources of stress that may contribute to mental health concerns and barriers to mental health service use. Thirty-three (n = 33; 58% female) Asian IOY were directly queried through in-depth focus groups. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Themes relating to sources of stress that lead to mental health concerns among Asian IOY included (a) pressure to succeed and (b) stressors related to ethnic minority and immigrant status. Themes relating to barriers to mental health service use among Asian IOY included (a) parental reactions, (b) concerns with mental health treatment, (c) stigma against mental health services, (d) mental health literacy, and (e) pragmatic or logistical reasons. Findings provide insight into tailoring appropriate outreach efforts to increase mental health service use among Asian IOY. Highlights: We directly queried Asian IOY to examine sources of stress and barriers to mental health service use. Parental pressure to succeed was the most frequently endorsed stressor. Parents are important gatekeepers to Asian immigrant-origin youth's access to mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After migrating to the United States, older Korean immigrants may increase their gambling participation and be at higher risk for problem gambling. However, not much is known about their experiences and beliefs on gambling. The purpose of the present study was to explore gambling behaviors and shared beliefs about gambling among older Korean immigrants residing in New York City. A total of 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews (10 men and 10 women) were conducted in Korean. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The findings revealed three major categories among older Korean immigrants. The first category, cultural beliefs, has three subcategories (i.e., gambling is unethical, fear of addiction, and losing everything) and refers to negative beliefs about gambling. The second category, adaptation, refers to positive attitudes they acquired as they adjusted to the new gambling environment (i.e., harmless leisure, coping strategies, and excitement in life). Last, they revealed ambivalence about gambling (i.e., changes in gambling environment, 'my gambling' is different, and gambling in secrecy). Overall, older Korean immigrants have retained their cultural beliefs about gambling, even as they have embraced the legalized gambling environment and changed social norms of the U.S. However, they have trouble reconciling the differences between their beliefs, behaviors, values, and newly acquired norms. Findings point to a need for healthy and affordable leisure pursuits, and for culturally appropriate intervention programs to help problem gamblers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is believed to have emerged in Wuhan, China in late December 2019 and began rapidly spreading around the globe throughout the spring months of 2020. As COVID-19 proliferated across the United States, Asian Americans reported a surge in racially motivated hate crimes involving physical violence and harassment. Throughout history, pandemic-related health crises have been associated with the stigmatization and "othering" of people of Asian descent. Asian Americans have experienced verbal and physical violence motivated by individual-level racism and xenophobia from the time they arrived in America in the late 1700s up until the present day. At the institutional level, the state has often implicitly reinforced, encouraged, and perpetuated this violence through bigoted rhetoric and exclusionary policies. COVID-19 has enabled the spread of racism and created national insecurity, fear of foreigners, and general xenophobia, which may be related to the increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic. We examine how these crimes – situated in historically entrenched and intersecting individual-level and institutional-level racism and xenophobia – have operated to "other" Asian Americans and reproduce inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this essay, we review how the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic that began in the United States in early 2020 has elevated the risks of Asian Americans to hate crimes and Asian American businesses to vandalism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidents of negative bias and microaggressions against Asian Americans have also increased. COVID-19 is directly linked to China, not just in terms of the origins of the disease, but also in the coverage of it. Because Asian Americans have historically been viewed as perpetually foreign no matter how long they have lived in the United States, we posit that it has been relatively easy for people to treat Chinese or Asian Americans as the physical embodiment of foreignness and disease. We examine the historical antecedents that link Asian Americans to infectious diseases. Finally, we contemplate the possibility that these experiences will lead to a reinvigoration of a panethnic Asian American identity and social movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]