Racial Uplifts and the Asian American Experience

It is well established that experiences of racial discrimination pose a significant health risk to ethnic minority youth. In this article, we introduce a new concept, racial uplifts, to capture a largely neglected countertheme in the scientific literature-the nature and processes underlying salubrious race-related experiences. We report on data from a mixed-method study of everyday racial uplifts in the lives of Asian American youth. Study 1a (n = 20; age range = 17-23 years) and Study 1b (n = 14; age range = 18-22 years) examined data collected through semistructured focus group interviews. Study 2 used data from a 14-day diary study (n = 152; age range = 16-20 years). A consensual qualitative research analysis of interview data revealed six major racial uplifting themes: (a) ethnic bonding, (b) overcoming obstacles, (c) bicultural competence, (d) cultural bridging, (e) globalism, and (f) outgroup regard. Analysis of end-of-day diary data revealed that respondents reported at least one daily racial uplift on 65% of the study days and multiple uplifts on 42% of the study days. Multilevel analyses indicated that everyday racial uplifts were associated with decreased daily negative affect and increased daily positive affect and self-esteem. The results add to a growing literature on the role of assets and promotive resources in the lives of ethnic minority youth. Public Significance Statement The study advances the concept of racial uplifts or positive race-related experiences and examines how they unfold in everyday life and their consequences for Asian American well-being.