Internalization of the model minority myth and sociodemographic factors shaping Asians/Asian Americans' experiences of discrimination during COVID‐19. Issue 1 (28th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yi, Jacqueline; La, Raymond; Lee, B. Andi; Saw, Anne
• Other Names: Martin Pamela P. guestEditor.; Lewis Rhonda K. guestEditor.; Guzmán Bianca L. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: American journal of community psychology. Volume 71:Issue 1/2(2023)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2022-11-28
• Subjects: Asian Americans -- COVID‐19 -- internalized oppression -- model minority myth -- vicarious discrimination; Community psychology -- Periodicals; Community mental health services -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-0562

Abstract

Abstract: Despite appearing positive, the model minority myth (MMM), or the perception that Asian Americans are "problem‐free" minorities, maintains unfair racial hierarchies and discredits the pervasiveness of systemic racism faced by Asian Americans and other Black, Indigenous, and people of Color. This study investigated the role of internalized MMM in Asian/Asian Americans' (A/AA) experiences during the syndemic of COVID‐19 and our society's racial reckoning. Using a mixed methods approach, we analyzed A/AA college students' open‐ended responses to a query about their experiences as A/AA during COVID‐19, which resulted in qualitative themes of Personal and Vicarious Discrimination, Vigilance, Safety due to Ethnicity, Safety due to Environment, and No Difference during COVID‐19. We then conducted a series of logistic and linear regression models to examine how internalized MMM and sociodemographic factors (i.e., ethnic group, gender, and generational status) were associated with qualitative themes and quantitative measures of COVID‐related discrimination. Overall, findings demonstrated that greater internalized MMM, as well as identifying as South Asian, male, and an international/first‐generation immigrant student, were linked to fewer qualitative and quantitative reports of vicarious discrimination. We conclude with implications for research and practice in community psychology that further examine the racialized experiences among A/AA college students and ultimately seek to challenge the MMM and racial hierarchies perpetuating systems of oppression. Highlights: This mixed‐methods study examines Asians/Asian Americans' experiences of discrimination during COVID‐19. We hypothesized that internalization of the model minority myth (MMM) is a form of internalized oppression that obscures COVID‐related, anti‐Asian racism. Greater internalized MMM was linked to less reports of vicarious discrimination during the pandemic. Reports of discrimination and vigilance also differed by Asian ethnic group, gender, and generational status.