Navigating silence
Cultural, familial, and immigration influences on the sexual violence experiences of Asian female college students in the university of California system
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15366356 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jianchao Lai (0000-0003-3126-2911, University of California, Los Angeles, corresponding author), Eunhee Park (0000-0002-9972-3430), Eunhee V Park (0000-0001-6442-8119), Eun‐Hee Park (0009-0003-3075-3265, University of California, Los Angeles), Jenny Lee (0000-0003-1074-679X), Jenny J Lee (0000-0003-2799-487X, University of California, Los Angeles), Rhea Gandhi (0009-0003-9922-787X), Jennifer Wagman, Jennifer A Wagman (0000-0002-9957-1932, University of California, Los Angeles) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 3242-3242 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | BMC Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1471-2458 • E-ISSN: 1471-2458 |
| Publisher | BioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1186/s12889-025-24487-1 |
| PMID | 41034760 |
| OpenAlex | W4414704952 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 36 |
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) on college campuses disproportionately affect racially minoritized groups, including Asian female students. These individuals face unique cultural and familial challenges impacting their experiences and help-seeking behaviors. Existing literature highlights barriers such as cultural stigma and the model minority myth, but research specific to this population is limited. This study explores the SVSH experiences of Asian female college students and examines how cultural norms, family dynamics, and immigration background influence their responses and access to support services. Data were collected from all 10 University of California campuses as part of the Double Jeopardy (DJ) project. Fifty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. A grounded-theory-guided thematic analysis identified key themes, with reflective memos used to capture insights and minimize bias. Findings reveal that cultural norms and family expectations shape Asian female students’ responses to SVSH, often reinforcing self-blame and silence of the incidents. Immigration background added complexities, with fears related to legal status and unfamiliarity with SVSH frameworks and existing support services in the United States (U.S.). Mental health stigma and language barriers further contributed to isolation and reluctance to seek help. Despite challenges, participants expressed the need for culturally competent, linguistically appropriate resources. Universities must adopt culturally competent policies, expand multilingual counseling services, and collaborate with community-based organizations to support Asian female survivors. Addressing systemic barriers can foster an inclusive environment that empowers survivors and enhances access to necessary resources
Harassment · Immigration · Mental health · Poison control · Population · Public health · Shame · Silence · Stigma (botany · Thematic analysis · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Gender, Security, and Conflict · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Prevention of sexual violence among college students
Intersectional discrimination and its impact on Asian American women's mental health
Gender, Campus Sexual Violence, Cultural Betrayal, Institutional Betrayal, and Institutional Support in U.S. Ethnic Minority College Students
Barriers to Reporting Sexual Assault for Women and Men
Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis
Sexual Violence Against Women and Children in Chinese Societies
From the Margins to the Center
Widening the Lens
Intimate Partner Violence Among Asian Immigrant Communities
Non-Partner Sexual Violence Among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Adults
The Prevalence of Sexual Assault Among Higher Education Students
Reporting Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault
Factors Associated with Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Asian Americans
Historical Trauma and Descendants' Well-Being
Minority Identity, Othering-Based Stress, and Sexual Violence
The longitudinal effects of rape myth beliefs and rape proclivity
Internalized model minority myth, Asian values, and help-seeking attitudes among Asian American students
Perceptions of Anticipated Peer Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence Among Students with Minoritized Identities
Towards Culturally Sensitive Care
Asian American Women Sexual Assault Survivors’ Choice of Coping Strategies
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Mapping the Margins
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |