Diversity within: subgroup differences of youth problem behaviors among asian pacific islander American adolescents

Abstract

This study compares problem behaviors across a range of adolescent Asian Pacific Islander (API) subgroups using the Add Health data, and controlling for parental education or immigrant status. The study finds that Filipino, "other" API, and multiethnic API American youth are at higher risk for poorer outcomes than Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese American counterparts. Many of these differences remained after adjusting for parental education. Controlling for immigrant status explained only some of the subgroup differences. The results suggest several shortcomings to the "model minority" stereotype that is often applied to API American youth. Research and practice should not overlook the higher risk for problem behaviors among certain API American subgroups. The findings highlight the need for more resources for API Americans, especially for the API subgroups facing higher risks.Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Americans and their children are the fastest growing racialethnic group in the U.S., and as a group, they are increasingly diverse (Zhou & Gatewood, 2000). Yet we know little about subgroup differences, especially patterns of problem behaviors among API American adolescents (Harachi, Catalano, Kim, & Choi, 2001). Existing studies on youth risk behaviors typically include aggregate profiles (e.g., Bachman et al., 1991), which is problematic because there are at least 17 nationality groups and eight Pacific Islander groups within the API American population who differ in their language, cultural heritage, and religion. They also differ on history, including average length of time in the U.S., reasons for immigration, and the level of industrialization in their country of origin. Since 1980, no single subgroup has accounted for more than one-third of API Americans (Zhou & Gatewood). Although group comparisons from aggregate profiles can establish baseline information and inform policymaking (Sue, Sue, Sue, & Takeuchi, 1995), research should now begin to examine group-specific differences and similarities to advance our understanding. UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE MODEL MINORITY STEREOTYPEEmpirical data and research findings on API Americans and their youth, even as an aggregated group, are seriously limited (Choi & Lahey, 2006). Filling this vacuum are stereotypes and prejudices used to characterize API Americans, the most popular of which is the model minority, which portrays these youth as "minorities who made it in this land of Correspondence to: Yoonsun Choi, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, 969 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637. E-mail: yoonsun@uchicago.edu. Publisher's Disclaimer: This PDF receipt will only be used as the basis for generating PubMed Central (PMC) documents. PMC documents will be made available for review after conversion (approx. 2−3 weeks time). Any corrections that need to be made will be done at that time. No materials will be released to PMC without the approval of an author. Only the PMC documents will appear on PubMed Central --this PDF Receipt will no...

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