Navigating the dual crisis: The collectivistic coping strategies of Chinese immigrant parents during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic fueled anti-Asian racism and xenophobia in the United States. This study delves into Chinese immigrant parents’ coping strategies and support sources during the early onset of the pandemic. A phenomenological approach was employed, focusing on participants’ lived experiences. Qualitative data from interviews with 24 Chinese immigrant parents were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that collectivistic coping strategies, including family support, intracultural coping, relational universality, and altruism, played an important role in mitigating the impact. Additionally, external locus of control, fatalism, open communication, avoidance of danger, and taking actions were identified as coping strategies against Sinophobia. Last, racial discrimination during the pandemic did not diminish pride in Chinese ethnic identity and bicultural identity integration. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)