Effects of Asian immigrants’ group membership in the association between perceived racial discrimination and psychological well-being: the interplay of immigrants’ generational status, age, and ethnic subgroup

Using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) (2002–2003) of 2,059 Asian immigrants, the given study explores the effects of perceived racial discrimination on participants’ psychological well-being. Asian immigrants’ group membership factors – immigrants’ generational status, age, and ethnic subgroup – were tested for possible moderating effects through two sets of regression analyses. Results indicated that immigrants’ generational status was not a significant moderating factor. However, young adults (ages 18–24) and Vietnamese ethnicity showed the most vulnerability when they experienced racial discrimination. Findings from the current study provide a number of important implications for policy and social work practice.