Exploring how language affects mental health in young Asian American immigrants
Official title: Language Identity and Mental Health Disparities among Multilingual 1.5 Generation Asian/Asian American Immigrant Young Adults: A Mixed Methods Study
Funded at San Jose State University · NIH-10909995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how speaking English and feeling connected to their culture affects the mental health of young Asian and Asian American adults who came to the U.S. as kids, especially during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Jose State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Jose, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $183,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150715-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Asian/Asian American immigrant young adults aged 18-25 who migrated to the U.S. with their parents and have been living in the country for at least two years.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Asian/Asian American or who are not within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of language proficiency and identity on the mental health of 1.5 generation Asian/Asian American immigrant young adults, who moved to the U.S. as children. It aims to understand how learning English as a second language influences their sense of belonging, social integration, and psychological well-being. By employing mixed methods, the study will gather both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive view of the mental health disparities faced by this population, particularly in the context of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health support and resources tailored for multilingual Asian American immigrant young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted the mental health challenges faced by immigrant populations, suggesting that exploring language identity could yield valuable insights, though this specific focus on 1.5 generation Asian Americans is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
San Jose State University
San Jose, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Chulwoo — San Jose State University
- Study coordinator: Park, Chulwoo
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.