Asian American Journal of Psychology, Vol 16(4), Dec 2025, 326-338; doi:10.1037/aap0000380
This qualitative study explores how Asian Americans appraised and coped with racial discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, using Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping as a framework. Based on semistructured interviews with 32 participants, the study identifies primary appraisals of discrimination, such as verbal abuse, physical threats, and incidents like the Atlanta spa shootings, as significant stressors causing emotional distress and identity conflicts. Secondary appraisal emphasized the need for supportive communities, both in-person and online, despite cultural stigmas around mental health discussions and limited resources. Participants used a range of coping strategies, including emotion-focused methods such as acceptance through reframing negativity, humor, sharing, engaging in religion and spirituality, and dissociation, as well as problem-focused approaches like confrontation, taking precautionary measures, managing online interactions, and engaging in activism. The effectiveness of these strategies varied; while some found positive reframing and social support helpful, others faced ongoing emotional challenges and frustration over limited societal progress. The study suggests adopting flexible coping strategies, enhancing social support, promoting cultural pride, and providing culturally competent mental health services to better support Asian Americans in managing discrimination and stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)