Mao Sea Lee

Major: Psychology

Minor: Communication Studies

Anticipated Graduation Date: May, 2014

Research Supervisor & Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melanie Ayres, Psychology, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Research Location: University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Summer 2012

Research Topic: Asian American Women's Experiences of and Responses to Unfair Treatment.

Abstract:

The current study investigated what kinds of discrimination young Asian American women experience, how they cope with the incident in the moment, and what conversations about discrimination include.  An online survey about a memorable experience of unfair treatment was given to 77 Asian American college-aged women from northern California.  Results yielded the most common sources of discrimination were strangers, family adults and peers.  Asian American women experienced discrimination from various contexts.  Race/ethnicity was found to be the main attribution of discrimination.  Several coping mechanisms were used among these women; two main ones were to ignore the discrimination and to express one's emotions.  There were a few common themes found in conversations with listeners.  Listeners were most likely to express empathy and discuss discrimination.  These findings suggest young Asian American women face several different forms of unfair treatment and react differently.