South Asian Identity in the United States

Abstract

South Asian Americans are a very diverse group and are rapidly growing in number in the United States. Each South Asian country shares a unique history with varying languages, religions and cultural practices. Further, there are significant regional differences within South Asian countries. South Asian groups also experience the collective influence of U.S. perceptions and stereotypes as well as identity conflict and pressure. They experience internal racial and ethnic identity development and external pressures that influence their health in the United States. For example, they can face discrimination and stereotyping across multiple identities and areas of their lives, including gender role conflict and career identity. South Asian Americans also experience pressure from traditional family cultural influences and dominant U.S. cultural socialization. Evidence clearly suggests that these challenges affect South Asian American mental and physical health and health service utilization. South Asian Americans deserve greater appreciation for their cultural diversity as well as greater cultural competence among health care professionals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)