Microaggressions against Asian international students in therapy.

Abstract

We examined microaggressions toward Asian international student clients in therapy. Participants were nine university counseling center therapists who had themselves been Asian international students with experience in therapy. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using interpretive phenomenology. We identified 3 themes (environmental microaggressions, stereotypical assumptions and conceptualizations of Asian international student clients, and culturally insensitive treatment planning or interventions) and 14 subthemes. Subthemes that uniquely emerged in this study included the following: Limited self-disclosure and expression of emotion, outdated views of Asian cultural values and practices, overemphasis on adjustment issues, and condescending and overprotecting the client. Implications for research, advocacy, and practice are discussed. Public Significance StatementThe present study expands the literature on microaggressions (subtle forms of discrimination) by exploring types of microaggressions against Asian international students in therapy. It highlights that therapists need to take responsibility for attending to the needs and experiences of Asian international students in therapy, which may require proactive efforts to increase knowledge and advocate for changes to system policies and procedures.

Impact on social capital and learning engagement due to social media usage among the international students in the U.S.

“…Some challenges associated with studying abroad include students leaving their family and friends, learning in a non-native language, and adjusting to a different culture. The ongoing threat of the global COVID-19 pandemic contributed to these difficulties, making it harder for international students to maintain regular connections with instructors and other students and effectively cope with their academic challenges (Kim & Hogge, 2021 ; Tsai et al, 2020 ). Therefore, international students are experiencing unprecedented rates of social isolation, psychological stress, cultural conflict (Tsai et al, 2020 ), and academic difficulty (Jordan & Hartocollis, 2020 ; Tsai et al, 2020 ).…”