(WITHDRAWN) Amplifying Voices of Underrepresented Populations through Mixed Methods and Community Partnership: Evidence from the 2022 State of Chinese Americans Survey

Background and Purpose:

Chinese Americans are one of the fastest growing population groups in the U.S., estimated to be 5.5 million or 1.7% of the U.S. population in 2021. Yet, they have been systematically marginalized and historically underrepresented in politics and policy, and underserved in healthcare, education, and social services. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a sharp increase in anti-Asian hate in the U.S and globally. The 2022 State of Chinese Americans Survey was the largest ever national survey of Chinese Americans in partnership with community organizations using mixed methods.

Methods:

Building on pilot studies using focus groups and conducted during October-December 2022, the 2022 State of Chinese Americans Survey included 77 questions across six modules: demographics, racial and cultural background, health, economic activities and insecurity, social engagement, and political engagement. Two open-ended questions asked respondents to describe their experiences with racial discrimination and coping mechanisms as well as the impact of U.S.-China relations on their daily lives. The nationwide survey was conducted online in English, simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese. Study participants included anyone over the age of 18 who self-identified as a person of Chinese ethnic origin and living in the U.S. They were recruited through community outreach in partnership with more than 100 organizations throughout the country. Targeted social media and in-person recruitment in multiple languages engaged typically underrepresented subgroups. The final sample included 6,481 respondents across regions. Statistical weights were created using the post-stratification raking method and applied to all analyses.

Results:

Three sets of key findings highlight the diverse experiences, wide-ranging access and needs, and vocal aspirations of the Chinese American population. First, Chinese Americans are diverse with regard to birthplace, place of upbringing, language spoken at home, and English proficiency. While the overwhelming majority of Chinese Americans see themselves as accepted in American society and culturally blended between American and Chinese cultures, they are also often marginalized and have experienced discrimination in daily lives. Second, the overwhelming majority of Chinese American citizens vote, care deeply about issues facing U.S. society, and want better relations and more collaboration between the U.S. and China. Third, while often stereotyped as a “model minority,” many Chinese Americans in fact face disadvantages or hardships in health and economics and need better support from policies and services.

Conclusions and Implications:

Using a mixed methods approach, the 2022 State of Chinese Americans Survey provided a comprehensive overview of the diverse experiences within the Chinese American community. It helped build community-driven science in three ways. First, pilot study participants and partner organizations voiced concerns about the effects of U.S.-China relations on their lives, which led to the inclusion of an open-ended survey question on the subject Second, another open-ended question on anti-Asian discrimination experiences and coping strategies offered community-driven and lived-experience approaches to advocacy and education efforts. Lastly, the collection of data about economic hardship and mental challenges made visible those who often are not due to the model minority myth, a false narrative about the monolithic prosperity of Chinese and Asian Americans.