Date of Award
Fall 9-5-2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Anne Figert
Abstract
Although Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial minority group in the United States, they remain significantly underrepresented in mental health research. Furthermore, research on Asian American mental health often aggregates the experiences of different Asian ethnic groups, creating a limited understanding of how distinct ethnic groups may differ in their mental health experiences. This interview study with Chinese American emerging adults ages 18–25 from varied family contexts (single-race, multiracial, and adoptive households) examines how members of this population make sense of the relationships between their identity, family, and mental health. This thesis posits that Chinese Americans' nuanced experiences—particularly around identity and familial relationships—contribute to both positive and negative experiences with mental health. The findings from this project contribute to our understanding of Chinese American emerging adult identities, the influence of cultural values related to family and social status, and the mental health experiences of this population. The findings from this thesis may be beneficial for developing future projects focusing on distinct Asian ethnic groups and for supporting practitioners who work with the Chinese American population.
Recommended Citation
Xu, Maxwell Lou, "Voices of Chinese American Emerging Adults: Complex Racial Identities, Family Dynamics, and Mental Health Experiences" (2025). Dissertations. 4203.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/4203
