Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are a diverse group that includes about 50 racial/ethnic groups. AAPI comprise about 7% of the U.S. population and are currently the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group(1). Racism towards AAPI has been displayed for centuries through colonialism, Japanese internment camps, concepts like “yellow peril,” and the recent rise of anti-Asian rhetoric influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Practices within the field of Psychology that contribute to inequities in mental health services for AAPI include inattention towards the effects of the model minority myth(2), a general disregard for culture-bound syndromes(2), and a lack of bilingual mental health providers(2).
Studies show that a staggering 73% of AAPI adults with a mental illness have not received professional treatment(3). Barriers to receiving mental health care can include lack of health insurance, fear of losing one’s immigration status, cultural and religious stigma, and language barriers. Digital mental health interventions can alleviate fears of inadequate confidentiality and societal judgment, which are recognized as primary reasons for AAPI adults not seeking mental health treatment(4). Increasing cultural competence and awareness of mental health providers and researchers within Psychology can improve mental health care and decrease inequities for AAPI.
We at the Anxiety Research and Treatment lab are actively promoting efforts to eliminate racial bias and violence towards AAPI. We recognize that the AAPI community experiences thousands of instances of verbal harassment and physical assault every year, with a significant spike with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We stand in full solidarity with movements that fight against the societal oppression of AAPI and the inherent biases and stereotypes that drive anti-AAPI hate crimes, such as the Stop AAPI Hate movement.
Our Commitment to Action
- Representative Recruitment: We aim to recruit participants identifying as Asian and/or Pacific Islander in research studies at rates proportionate to local population estimates (6-7%)(5).
- Inclusive/Bias-Free Language: We will identify the national origin of participants in research studies where possible (e.g., Filipino, Chinese, Bangladeshi, etc.). We will make sure to make a clear distinction between race and ethnicity. Race is not universal; therefore, we will not impose it on ethnic groups. For example, instead of just saying Asian American, we use specific identifiers such as Japanese American.
- Bystander Intervention Training: As a lab, we will undergo bystander intervention training to equip ourselves with the skills necessary to take initiative in the presence of harassment both in and outside our research settings.
- Dismantling Stereotypes: APA guidelines advise against the interchangeable use of ethnic and racial identifiers that may appear similar(6) since this may lead to the incorrect grouping of people with significantly different experiences. Therefore, to prevent the unintentional reinforcement of the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype, we will not interchangeably use “Asian” and “Asian American” as identifiers
References
1 Budiman, A., & Ruiz, N. G. (2021). Key facts about Asian Americans, a diverse and growing population. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/04/29/key-facts-about-asian-americans/#:~:text=The%20nation’s%20Asian%20population%20rose,four%20times%20their%20current%20total.
2 American Psychological Association. (2012). Recommendations for the Treatment of Asian-American/Pacific Islander Populations. https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/asian-american/psychological-treatment.
3 Mental Health America. (2020). Asian American/Pacific Islander Communities And Mental Health. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/asian-americanpacific-islander-communities-and-mental-health.
4 National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2020). Asian American and Pacific Islander. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Asian-American-and-Pacific-Islander.
5 Metro Atlanta Chamber. (2020). Population. https://www.metroatlantachamber.com/resources/reports-and-information/executive-profile.
6 American Psychological Association APA Task Force on Race and Ethnicity Guidelines in Psychology. (2019). APA guidelines on race and ethnicity in psychology: Promoting responsiveness and equity.
