What is it about?
This study looks at how the “model minority” stereotype — the belief that Asian students are naturally smart, hardworking, and emotionally strong — affects the mental health of college students in the U.S. It compares Asian American students with international students from different parts of Asia. The research finds that these groups experience stereotype-related stress in different ways. Asian American students are more likely to feel pressure from academic expectations, while international students face different challenges depending on their regional background. The study highlights the need for more personalized mental health support for Asian students based on their citizenship and cultural experiences.
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Why is it important?
This study is one of the first to compare how the “model minority” stereotype impacts the mental health of both Asian American and international students in U.S. colleges. It shows that these groups are affected in different ways depending on their citizenship and regional background — something most research overlooks. By highlighting these differences, the study challenges the common view that all Asian students share the same experiences. The findings can help universities and mental health professionals design more culturally sensitive support systems that better meet the diverse needs of Asian students.
Perspectives
Writing this article was both challenging and rewarding. As someone who has navigated both Asian American and international student communities, I felt it was important to capture the diversity within the broad label of “Asian students.” Too often, research treats this group as a monolith. Through this study, I wanted to highlight how structural factors like citizenship and regional origin shape mental health experiences in deeply different ways. I hope the findings encourage more nuanced conversations about race, identity, and student well-being — not just in academic circles, but also among educators, counselors, and students themselves.
Changyue Li
Iowa State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The model minority myth and Asian students’ mental health: A comparative analysis of Asian American and international students and the moderating role of citizenship status., Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, July 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000764.
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