The present study related generational status, family dynamics, and perceptions of racial discrimination (PRD) to acute psychiatric outcomes among a nationally representative Asian American sample (N = 2095), using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). High self-reports of PRD were correlated with endorsement of clinical depression and suicidality as predicted. Regression analyses suggested that high PRD, low family cohesion, and high family conflict served as significant predictors of poor mental health independently, but moderator hypotheses predicting the interaction of these factors were not supported. Clinical and research implications are provided.

As reflected in the surge of anti-Asian discrimination following the outbreak of COVID-19, Asian Americans continue to face subtle and overt forms of racism despite the misguided popular image as the “model minority.” Prior research has found that perceived discrimination experiences are associated with adverse mental health outcomes for Asian Americans. The current study extends the literature by exploring pathways that link perceptions of discrimination and psychological distress and protective factors that disrupt this link. The study tested a moderated mediation model that included internalized racism as a mediator and critical action and ethnic identity as moderators, utilizing the bootstrap-based PROCESS analysis (Hayes, 2013). Participants were 424 Asian American adults ranging in age from 18 to 73 that completed an online survey. Results indicated that internalized racism mediated the relation between perceptions of discrimination and psychological distress. Critical action, but not ethnic identity, significantly moderated the mediated effect of racial discrimination on psychological distress through internalized racism. Specifically, among Asian Americans that reported high levels of critical action, internalized racism did not the mediate the relation between perceived racial discrimination and psychological distress. Findings are discussed in terms of their implication for clinical practice, educational and community programming, and advocacy efforts for Asian Americans.

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The present study integrated Critical Multiracial Theory (MultiCrit) and Minority Stress Theory and examined the associations between racial identity invalidation, a racial stressorunique to biracial or multiracial individuals, internalized racial oppression and self-esteem in a sample of 211 biracial Asian-White emerging adults. The study specifically explored four domains of internalized racial oppression unique to biracial individuals (internalized racial inferiority, minority identity shame, distancing from minority identity, colorism). The study also sought to examine whether racial socializations strategies unique to multiracial families(multiracial identity socialization, navigating multiple heritages socialization, preparation for monoracism socialization, and race-conscious socialization) moderated the relationship between racial identity invalidation and internalized racial oppression. Results from a path analysis indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between racial identity invalidation and minority identity shame, a significant positive relationship between internalized racial inferiority and self-esteem, and a significant negative relationship between minority identity shame and self-esteem. Minority identity shame also significantly mediated the relationship between racial identity invalidation and self-esteem. Preparation for monoracism socialization significantly moderated the relationship between racial identity invalidation and minority identity shame. Implications for future research and clinical practice with biracial Asian-White individuals are discussed.