Department or Program
Psychology
Abstract
While Asian Americans have encountered numerous anti-Asian rhetoric and policies, the model minority myth also portrays Asian Americans as successful, academically talented, and hardworking. This myth, however, may mask the challenges this community faces and fails to explore the impact on mental health and social expectations. The myth not only oversimplifies the Asian American experience and ignores the mental health disparities and racism they face but also creates unrealistic standards, psychological stress, and ethnic tension. The purpose of this study is to identify how experiences with racism—internalized model minority myth and blatant anti-Asian racism—are associated with mental health outcomes (psychological distress and American meritocracy myth stress) through specific responses to the myth among 270 Asian American adults (Mage = 32.64, SD = 11.97). The results highlight a significant association between internalized stereotypes and mental health outcomes, suggesting that dual perception of Asian Americans as a “superhuman” (i.e., model minority) and as “subhuman” (i.e., targets of violence) may contribute to adverse mental health outcomes. By elucidating the mechanisms by which these stereotypes affect mental health, this study contributes to a better understanding of the complex interplay between race, identity, and mental health in the Asian American community.
Level of Access
Restricted: Embargoed [Open Access After Expiration]
First Advisor
Garrison, Yun
Date of Graduation
5-2024
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Hashiramoto, Tamaki, "Anti-Asian Racism, Model Minority Myth, and Their Psychological Impact on Asian Americans" (2024). Honors Theses. 477.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/477
Number of Pages
55
Components of Thesis
1 pdf file