Unraveling the Relationship Between Racial Discrimination, Resilience, and Mental Health: A Study of Asian American Youth

This study investigated the relationship between racial discrimination, resilience, and mental health outcomes (i.e., anxiety, depression) among 72 Asian American youth (Mage= 14.53 years). Results indicated that experiences of past year discrimination (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic-related discrimination) were significantly and positively associated with anxiety (β= 0.37, p < 0.001) and depression (β= 0.47, p < 0.001); entire life discrimination was significantly and positively associated with anxiety (β= 0.37, p < 0.001) and depression (β= 0.52, p < 0.001) among Asian American adolescents. Resilience was significantly and negatively associated with anxiety (β= - 0.42, p < 0.001) and depression (β= - 0.50, p < 0.001). A significant interaction emerged, suggesting that when Asian American youth reported high levels of entire-life discrimination and resilience, they were more likely to experience anxiety (+1 SD; β= 0.60, p < 0.001). While resilience emerged as an important protective factor against anxiety and depression overall, the interaction suggests that in contexts that lack social and structural support, resilience may come at a cost for Asian American adolescents facing discrimination. Future research and practice must consider multidimensional approaches that support resilience at individual and systemic levels to promote the well-being of racially minoritized adolescents.