Shifting Mediates the Relationship Between Ethnic Identity, Acculturation Status, and Racism-Related Stress Among Asian American Women

The present study was designed to examine Asian American women's shifting, a coping mechanism that includes altering or modifying one's self-presentation to cope with racism-related stress. In particular, the relationship between Asian American ethnic identity, acculturation status, and racism-related stress was examined among Asian American women, to determine whether these hypothesized associations were mediated by shifting. A convenience sample of 483 Asian American adult women completed measures of acculturation, ethnic identity, racism-related stress, and shifting. Results of three structural equation models (full model with ethnic identity and acculturation as latent predictors and simplified models with each predictor examined separately) indicated partial mediation. Both ethnic identity and shifting positively predicted the outcome variable of racism-related stress; acculturation status was not a significant predictor of racism-related stress. These data extend our understanding of the shifting coping mechanism among Asian American women and the factors that are associated with racism-related stress. Implications for clinical work and future research are also discussed. What is the public significance of this article? Our findings reinforce the importance of examining racism-related stress, given the paucity of research regarding racism-related stress among Asian American women and the factors that may facilitate or hinder their well-being. Researchers and mental health providers should continue to examine shifting, as it may paradoxically allow Asian American women to cope with their racism-related stressors but perhaps with significant personal consequences.