A content analysis of psychological research across 3 decades (1980 -2012) was conducted for the South Asian American community in the U.S. Search engines (e.g., PsycINFO, Google Scholar) and key terms (e.g., parenting, mental health, Asian Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh) were used to examine 133 empirical articles from 88 peer-reviewed journals and to determine publication, content, and methodological trends. Articles were coded into content and methodological categories derived from a review of literature. Interrater reliability ranged from .91 to .99. Findings revealed some important trends with this understudied group. Empirical articles increased by 360% from 1980s to 1990s and by 356% from 1990s to 2000s. Among the 13 content categories identified, psychological health, interpersonal dynamics, acculturative stress, identity, and domestic violence were studied more frequently across the 3 decades. Methodological findings revealed several trends: use of survey methods, convenience sampling, recruitment from within the community, sampling across both genders and generational status (i.e., first and second), and a range of age groups. Majority of the articles used quantitative methodologies with a focus on regression analyses. However, a large number of studies sampled Asian Indians exclusively and provided limited data on psychometric properties for measures used. Scholars researching the South Asian community may wish to expand current content areas and also focus on older adults, cultural conflicts, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) communities, substance abuse, and career issues. We also encourage the use of a diverse South Asian sample with attention to culturally focused theoretical frameworks and psychometrically sound instruments.
