Cultural resources and health among Asian Americans: results from the National Latino and Asian American Study

The primary aim of this study is to improve our understanding of Asian American health. Stereotypes such as the “model minority myth” continue to obscure diversity and give the impression that Asian Americans are uniformly successful and healthy. However, some sub‐groups of Asian Americans are at higher risk of health problems than others. It is important to better understand the risk and protective factors that contribute to health among this large and growing segment of the U.S. population. ❧ The “immigrant paradox” is often used to explain heterogeneity in health outcomes among Asian Americans. This perspective posits that immigrants have superior health status compared to those who are U.S.‐born. However, over time this health advantage deteriorates, such that the health status of long‐term immigrants and subsequent generations tends to converge to that of their U.S.‐born counterparts. Using data from the National Latino and Asian American Survey (NLAAS) and the cultural resource hypothesis as a conceptual framework, this dissertation examines the effects of three cultural resources—ethnic identity, native language proficiency, and religious service attendance—on mental and physical health outcomes. ❧ Study 1 of this multiple‐manuscript dissertation explores the impact of each cultural resource on mental and physical health, stratified by ethnic group. Findings indicate that native language proficiency and ethnic identity are associated with better health for at least one ethnic group. Study 2 examines the moderating role of cultural resources in the relationship between longer duration of residence and health, finding moderating effects of ethnic identity and native language proficiency. Study 3 uses latent class analysis to empirically identify risk profiles of health among Asian Americans, revealing four sociodemographically distinct profiles. ❧ Findings from this dissertation illustrate the potential of cultural resources as protective factors for health and extend the cultural resource hypothesis to include Asian Americans. Instead of accepting health declines among immigrant populations as inevitable, it is important to consider heterogeneity and understand that longer duration of residence in the U.S. does not always result in poor health. Helping professionals can facilitate maintenance of cultural resources as part of a larger effort to improve health among Asian Americans.