Internalized racism and mental health among Asian Americans: A subgroup meta-analysis.
J Couns PsycholAug 20, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPsychiatry
Drexler James, Jacqueline Yi
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis examined the relationship between internalized racism (IR) and mental health among Asian Americans, analyzing data from 39 studies involving 12,480 participants. The study found significant small-to-moderate positive correlations between IR and various mental health issues, including anxiety (r = .19) and depression (r = .26), indicating that IR negatively impacts psychological well-being in this population.
Key findings
- IR was positively correlated with anxiety symptoms (r = .19).
- Depressive symptoms showed a significant correlation with IR (r = .26).
- Suicidal ideation was positively associated with IR (r = .23).
- Life satisfaction was weakly negatively associated with IR (r = -.06).
Why it matters
Understanding the impact of internalized racism on mental health is crucial for developing effective interventions tailored to the unique experiences of Asian Americans, who may face distinct forms of discrimination and cultural pressures.