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Asian Americans are frequently characterized as reserved, non-confrontational, and conflict-evading—but a recent University of Michigan study contests that perception.

Through a qualitative investigation into the ways Asian Americans handle discrimination, U-M researchers discovered that subjects implement a diverse array of techniques, many of which actively confront harm and reaffirm identity.

The research determined that contrary to previous insights suggesting Asian Americans predominantly depend on avoidance techniques, such as suppression or withdrawal, approach strategies are not only common but often regarded as more favorable and effective by participants.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, instances of racial discrimination against Asian Americans have escalated. Drawing from extensive interviews with 32 Asian American adults throughout the United States, the study uncovers various discriminatory experiences, ranging from overt verbal abuse such as being told to “go back to your country” to more insidious forms of bias and microaggressions.

In reaction, participants indicated that they utilized two primary categories of coping mechanisms: approach and avoidance.

Approach coping encompasses actions like confronting offenders, soliciting support, reflecting upon and learning from experiences, and reinforcing one’s ethnic or racial identity. Although some of these approaches have been noted in earlier studies, this research reveals new forms of approach coping not usually represented in existing coping assessments—such as employing silence purposefully to encourage offenders to reflect on their discriminatory actions, discrediting offenders as uninformed or insecure, and actively engaging with one’s ethnic identity in affirming manners.

Avoidance coping, on the other hand, entails remaining silent to evade conflict, downplaying the incident, or disengaging mentally to alleviate distress. Some participants expressed concerns about potential retaliation or physical harm, especially in light of increasing anti-Asian hate incidents.

Nevertheless, several who opted for silence later expressed regret and wished they had asserted themselves, not only to advocate for themselves but to illuminate racism and discrimination. Others who confronted offenders demonstrated some uncertainty, questioning whether a less direct approach might have been more effective. Yet many recognized the significance of challenging the stereotype of Asian Americans as submissive or incapable of expressing anger.

This study expands the understanding of what “seeking support” entails. Participants turned to a diverse array of resources—not solely family or close friends, but also co-workers, affinity groups, non-Asian individuals of color, and even online communities. Being part of the same ethnic group or sharing emotional closeness wasn’t always the primary consideration.

One participant mentioned that a friend of the same ethnicity, residing in a less diverse area, was less beneficial than a colleague from a different marginalized group who understood the experience of racism firsthand.

“This indicates that perceptions of effective support rely on shared social context and identity, rather than simply ethnicity or closeness,” said co-author Ashley Ke, U-M alumna in psychology.

Significantly, participants also articulated how their racial and ethnic identity served as a source of motivation and resilience. Drawing upon identity-threat response theory, the authors noted that identity was not a static characteristic, but something participants safeguarded, enhanced, and redefined when under threat.

Some participants countered discrimination by emphasizing the positive aspects of their identity, seeking environments to express it, or deepening their understanding through reading, discussions with elders, or engaging in cultural practices.

In contrast to previous studies that documented identity-avoiding behaviors—such as downplaying ethnicity, retreating from community organizations, or altering one’s appearance to conform—this research identified no such tendencies.

“In fact, participants did the opposite,” said co-author Mari Kira, U-M assistant professor of psychology. “Discrimination seemed to amplify their desire to connect with their identity.”

The results challenge prevailing assumptions about how Asian Americans deal with racism and underscore gaps in existing psychological frameworks. For instance, strategic silence—employed by some participants to compel reflection or prevent escalation—has rarely been captured in traditional coping models. Likewise, identity-affirming responses like reclaiming cultural pride have also not been thoroughly examined.

“Our findings indicate that current coping frameworks may overlook culturally specific strategies,” noted co-author Fiona Lee, professor of psychology. “There is a necessity for more inclusive tools to document how various groups respond to identity-based threats.”

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