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Symposia

Oppression and Resilience Minority Health

Identifying Mechanistic Intervention Targets for Asian Americans Facing Racialized Stress from Adolescence to Older Adulthood

5 - (SYM 45) Navigating Discrimination: Coping Strategies Among Chinese American Older Adults in Response to Anti-asian Hate

Saturday, November 22, 2025
12:58 PM - 1:15 PM CST
Location: Foster 2, Level 2
Keywords: Asian Americans, Mental Health Disparities, Risk / Vulnerability Factors
Recommended Readings: Lee, D. L., & Ahn, S. (2011). Racial discrimination and Asian mental health: A meta-analysis. The Counseling Psychologist, 39(3), 463-489. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000010381791,   Doan, S.N., Yu, S.H., Wright, B., Fung, J., Saleem, F., & Lau, A.S. (2022). Resilience and family socialization processes in ethnic minority youth: Illuminating the achievement-health paradox. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 25, 75–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-022-00389-1,   Tsai, W., Chiang, J. J., & Lau, A. S. (2015). The effects of self-enhancement and self-improvement on recovery from stress differ across cultural groups. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(1), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550615598380,   Choi, J. H. S., & Miyamoto, Y. (2023). Cultural differences in rumination and psychological correlates: The role of attribution. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 49(8), 1213–1230. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672221089061,   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Mental Health Care for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity; A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2001. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44243/
Abstract Body
Background. The surge in anti-Asian hate incidents in the United States, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, has disproportionately affected older Chinese American adults. Limited research has explored coping strategies in response to such discrimination. This study aims to identify coping strategies employed by older Chinese Americans in Los Angeles County and their perceptions toward mental health support services designed to address anti-Asian hate. Methods. A total of 24 Chinese American older adults (mean age = 71 years, 58% female, 96% first-generation immigrants) participated in semi-structured interviews conducted in Mandarin and Cantonese. Interview topics covered experiences of anti-Asian hate, coping strategies, and barriers to utilizing community-based mental health support services. Results. Participants described various coping strategies to manage discrimination-induced distress, including behavioral avoidance, heightened vigilance, and reliance on intra-ethnic social networks and informal support. Many emphasized cultural values such as enduring hardship, self-restraint, and maintaining harmony, thereby engaging in coping strategies that involved avoiding direct confrontations or reporting hate incidents. Internalized racism was also observed, whereby individuals attributed hate incidents to perceived behavioral shortcomings within their ethnic group. Despite experiencing significant psychological impacts (e.g., fear, anxiety, helplessness), respondents showed significant underutilization of available mental health services. Barriers to access included language limitations, transportation challenges, mental health stigma, and a lack of awareness of the tangible benefits that these services could offer. Discussion. The study highlights the complex interplay between individual coping mechanisms and community support in managing the psychological impact of discrimination. While avoidance and withdrawal may offer short-term relief, they potentially exacerbate feelings of isolation and anxiety. Community support plays a crucial role in providing not only practical help but also a sense of belonging and resilience against discrimination. Understanding the coping strategies of Chinese American older adults against discrimination is vital for developing targeted interventions that enhance their psychological health and well-being. Enhanced community services and advocacy are recommended to support this community in navigating and resisting discrimination.