Relationship of Discrimination to Cultural and Political Identity Among Asian Americans

Background and Purpose: Like other minority groups, Asian Americans have historically faced racial, ethnic, and cultural discrimination in the United States (Kim, 2013).  Prior research has indicated the negative physical, mental, and behavioral health implications of discrimination experiences (Gee, Ro, Shariff-Marco, & Chae, 2009).  Within mental health, a key dimension of focus for the present study was social identity.  The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship of discrimination to two notable indicators of social identity (i.e., cultural and political identity) among Asian Americans.  The overall impact of immigration status was also considered.  The research was informed by social identity theory, which explains how social stratification causes minority groups to work toward a “positive group identity” (p. 13), while the dominant group works toward maintaining their superior identity (Tajfel & Turner, 1986).

Methods: The present study used data from the 2008 National Asian American Survey, a cross-sectional, telephonic survey design study which contained a nationally representative sample of 5,159 Asian American adults (Ramakrishnan, Junn, Lee, & Wong, 2008).  Ethnically, a significant majority (over 96%) of the sample comprised those of Chinese (1,350), Indian (1,150), Vietnamese (719), Korean (614), Filipino (603), and Japanese (541) decent.  Most were foreign-born.  A secondary analysis was conducted on the pertinent measures to the present study, including discrimination (sum score of 6 questions assessing experiences of unfair treatment, with a=0.62), cultural identity (4 groups: 16.6% Asian American, 41.9% [Ethnic/National origin group] American, 25.0% [Ethnic/National origin group], 11.2% Asian), political identity (4 groups: 23.8% liberal, 36.1% moderate, 17.0% conservative, 23.0% unsure), immigration status (3 groups: 3.1% visa, 15.7% green card, 81.2% U.S. citizen), and key demographics (e.g., age, political party affiliation).  A series of Kruskal-Wallis H and chi-square (x²) tests were performed.    

Results: Respondents who culturally identified as “(Ethnic/National origin group)” (e.g., Chinese) reported significantly less experiences of discrimination than those who identified as “Asian American.”  Respondents who indicated being “unsure” of their political identity reported significantly less experiences of discrimination than those who identified as moderate or liberal.  Overall, respondents’ immigration status did not appear to impact experiences of discrimination.  However, there were some associations between immigration status and cultural and political identity.  U.S. citizens were more likely than non-U.S. citizens to identify as “(Ethnic/National Origin Group) American” (e.g., Chinese American).  Non-U.S. citizens were more likely than U.S. citizens to identify as “(Ethnic/National Origin Group)” (e.g., Chinese).

Conclusions and Implications: Respondents who culturally identified as “(Ethnic/National origin group)” (e.g., Chinese) reported significantly less experiences of discrimination, suggesting strong ethnic or national origin group identification as a protective factor for Asian Americans – particularly among foreign-born immigrants.  It may be important to acknowledge and strengthen Asian Americans’ own ethnic connections via individual cultural empowerment and community linkages.  While foreign-born Asian Americans may be generally unfamiliar (i.e., “unsure”) or unengaged in politics, they can be encouraged to first start by organizing locally within their own ethnic communities.