The Racial and Ethnic Identity Formation Process of Second-Generation Asian Indian Americans: A Phenomenological Study

"No, but where are you really from?" Experiences of perceived discrimination and identity development among Asian Indian adolescents

Asian Indians were the first South Asians to immigrate to the United States in the late 1800s and are currently the largest ethnic group of South Asians living in the United States. Despite this the literature on perceived ethnic and racial discrimination experiences among this group is relatively understudied. The documented experiences of Asian Indians who either recently immigrated from India or were born and raised in America pose an important question: what are the experiences of perceived discrimination among Asian Indians living in America, particularly among younger populations who are continuing to develop their racial and ethnic identities? The current study utilized phenomenological methodology to explore the experiences of nine Asian Indian American adolescents' (ages 12-17 years). Data were collected via semi-structured interviews to assess participants' experiences of ethnic and racial discrimination and identity development. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes among the participants' responses. Asian Indian adolescents living in the United States report experiencing discrimination at a young age. It is also evident that Asian Indian youth experience significant challenges when developing their sense of ethnic and racial identity while living within the United States. Findings document the racial and ethnic discrimination that Asian Indian adolescents living in the United States may experience from a young age. Importantly, these discrimination experiences are occurring as Asian Indian adolescents are developing their racial and ethnic identities. This study provides insight for future research, which is necessary to fully understand the experiences of Asian Indian adolescents.

Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on families of children with developmental disabilities: A community-based formative study

Background

COVID-19 continues to disproportionately impact families of children with developmental disabilities (DD). There is an urgent need to understand these families' experiences, particularly those that face economic or social marginalization. This qualitative study sought to identify the experiences of families of children with DD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Using phenomenology, in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with caregivers and health care providers of children with DD living in a large urban Canadian city. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using inductive coding methods by two independent coders. Transcripts were analyzed within and across stakeholder groups using thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 25 IDIs were conducted in 2020. 3 main themes and 7 sub-themes emerged related to the experiences of parents and health care providers for children with DD: families reported difficulty adhering to public health measures leading to isolation and increased parental stress; restricted access to in-person services worsened behaviour and development; and worsened household financial security in already marginalized families.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that families of children with DD have been negatively impacted by the evolving environment from the COVID-19 pandemic, and even more so in those who face social and economic challenges. Public health restrictions have impaired the daily lives of these families and our study suggests that limitations to accessing in-person services may have long-lasting impacts on the well-being of families of children with DD. It is imperative that the unique needs of these families be considered and centred for future interventions.

Culturally Responsive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This case study provides an analysis of culturally responsive cognitive behavioral therapy with a 15-year-old African American female. The focus of this case study is on the course of treatment and how it was influenced by the implementation of the Jones Intentional Multicultural Interview Schedule (JIMIS)—a process that was completed at the beginning of treatment. A total of 20 therapy sessions were recorded and transcribed for the analysis. The research team analyzed the data qualitatively by identifying culturally salient codes that were stated within each session and coding transcripts using Dedoose software version 6.1.18. Results showed that four culturally salient codes were prominent throughout treatment and that these codes were strongly related to African American culture: gender norms, informal kinship, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. The connections between the coded themes, the cultural values of the client, as well as the implications for treatment outcomes are described. This study provides evidence of the value of initiating discussion of cultural factors at the beginning of treatment to shape the direction of evidence-based treatment. The study also suggests that integrating cultural factors with African American clients is important and does not reduce the quality of care or diminish from the fidelity of the evidence-based treatment. Based on these findings, recommendations for researchers and clinicians are also discussed.