Among the general Asian-American population, 18 to 25-year-old Asian-Americans and U.S. born Asian-American women have been found to have particularly high rates of suicidal ideation. An important risk factor for suicidal ideation in this population is parenting style/family conflict. Asian-Americans who are the children of immigrants, as opposed to White-Americans and non-American Asians, are often exposed to two different cultures and parenting styles. Researchers have suggested that this leads to a “fractured identity” and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). This study examined STBs in 18 to 25-year-old East Asian-American women. Depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD) severity were examined as mediating variables between family conflict and STBs. East Asian-American women (Asian-Americans) were compared to East Asian international students (Asians) and non-Hispanic/Latino whites (Caucasians). The study aimed to (1) compare the prevalence and severity of STBs, depression, and BPD across ethnic groups, (2) evaluate whether there were cultural differences in the measurement properties of the depression and BPD measures, and (3) compare parenting styles/family conflict and hypothesized pathways to suicidal ideation across groups. Data were collected through an online survey (N = 1,455). Asian-Americans and Caucasians reported similar prevalence of suicidal thoughts and similar depression, BPD, and suicidal ideation severity. There were cultural differences in the measurement properties of several items on the depression and BPD measures. In the serial mediation analysis, the path from ethnic group to family conflict to depression and BPD severity to suicidal ideation severity indicated that Asian-Americans have the most suicidal ideation through this pathway. In the moderated mediation analysis, the indirect effect of family conflict on suicidal ideation through depression and BPD was strongest in Caucasians, followed by Asian-Americans, and then Asians. These results can be reconciled given that Asian-Americans had the most family conflict and resulting suicidal ideation, but the effect of family conflict itself on suicidal ideation was strongest in Caucasians. This study indicates that the prevalence of STBs is higher in young Asian-American women than previously established rates in the general Asian-American population and that family conflict is associated with increased depression, BPD, and suicidal ideation severity.

Americans felt threatened by Asian immigration in the late 19th century. As a result, Asian Americans were stereotyped as foreign and dangerous. The United States government supported Asian American stereotyping by passing prohibitive immigration policies. These policies were a reflection of discrimination and institutionalized racism at the time. Asian American stereotyping still exists today, but in covert form. The media plays a powerful role in perpetuating these covert stereotypes. Asian American stereotypes negatively impact the Asian American community in a number of ways, including ostracizing Asian Americans, making Asian American issues invisible, and harming the mental health of the Asian American community. As a result, stereotypes increase cumulative stress for Asian Americans, and also decrease Asian American community support. This paper reviews and provides recommendations to help reduce stereotypes and also change media representations of Asian Americans.