Cultural Pluralism in Practice: A Mixed-method Study on Reducing Asian American Students’ COVID-19-related Stress

Liz Weir, Aguiling, W., Aquino, A.K.
Mentor: Dr. Charissa Cheah, Psychology

Increased anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic created a more hostile environment for Asian Americans (Cheah et al., 2020). For Chinese American adolescents, this sinophobic fear could impact their stress in school. Previous research has found experiences of discrimination among Chinese American adolescents to be associated with negative academic outcomes (Benner & Kim, 2009). One factor that might moderate this link is the extent to which adolescents believe their schools practice cultural pluralism by making minority students more visible and celebrating cultural differences (Brand et al., 2003; Green et al., 1988). Promoting diversity and inclusivity may increase students’ sense of belonging in school, thus minimizing the stressful effects of messages of rejection about their racial/ethnic group (Schachner et al., 2016). Applying the School Ethnic Racial Socialization (ERS) Transmission model (Saleem & Byrd, 2021) to Asian American adolescents, this study will examine the potential moderating role of schools’ support for cultural pluralism (SSCP) in the relation between students’ perceived Sinophobia and school stress in the context of COVID-19. In addition, we will incorporate qualitative interview data to understand Asian American adolescents’ ideas surrounding how schools can create inclusive learning environments that address and/or prevent racial marginalization.

This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Be like Liz! Apply to be a URA Scholar today! Get up to $1500 to support your research or creative work!

https://ur.umbc.edu/ura/

Celebrate our immigrant communities at UMBC – A Day of Community, Art, and Storytelling

Join us on Thursday, May 1st for a vibrant, day-long celebration honoring the contributions of our immigrant communities at UMBC and beyond.

Morning Kickoff

Start the day by showing appreciation for our custodial staff—many of whom are immigrants—for their essential role in creating a welcoming and thriving campus environment.
Breakfast: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Sports Zone

Keynote Speaker: Jessy DeSantis
Raised in a Nicaraguan household in Miami and now based in Baltimore, Jessy DeSantis is a self-taught artist whose bold, colorful paintings explore themes of identity, culture, and connection. Drawing inspiration from nature, food, family, and their Central American roots, Jessy will share their powerful story navigating culture, identity, and the art world.
Keynote: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Sports Zone
Learn more about Jessy at:www.jdesantisart.com

"Share Your Story" Artwork Activity
Contribute to our community storytelling project! Students, faculty, and staff are invited to showcase where they're from and reflect on their own or their family’s journeys. Help us build a visual "global tapestry" of UMBC.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Commons Terrace

Let’s come together to recognize, uplift, and celebrate the vibrant, diverse experiences that make up our UMBC community. No matter where you’re from or what language you speak, you belong here.

Thank you to our sponsors: PROMISE, COEIT, Latinx and Hispanic Faculty Association, Black Faculty and Staff Association, Asian & Asian American Faculty & Staff Council, Student Belonging (Division of Student Affairs), and  Student Affairs Success Initiatives.

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy. 

Celebrate our immigrant communities at UMBC – A Day of Community, Art, and Storytelling

Join us on Thursday, May 1st for a vibrant, day-long celebration honoring the contributions of our immigrant communities at UMBC and beyond.

Morning Kickoff

Start the day by showing appreciation for our custodial staff—many of whom are immigrants—for their essential role in creating a welcoming and thriving campus environment.
Breakfast: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Sports Zone

Keynote Speaker: Jessy DeSantis
Raised in a Nicaraguan household in Miami and now based in Baltimore, Jessy DeSantis is a self-taught artist whose bold, colorful paintings explore themes of identity, culture, and connection. Drawing inspiration from nature, food, family, and their Central American roots, Jessy will share their powerful story navigating culture, identity, and the art world.
Keynote: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Sports Zone
Learn more about Jessy at:www.jdesantisart.com

"Share Your Story" Artwork Activity
Contribute to our community storytelling project! Students, faculty, and staff are invited to showcase where they're from and reflect on their own or their family’s journeys. Help us build a visual "global tapestry" of UMBC.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Commons Terrace

Let’s come together to recognize, uplift, and celebrate the vibrant, diverse experiences that make up our UMBC community. No matter where you’re from or what language you speak, you belong here.

Thank you to our sponsors: PROMISE, COEIT, Latinx and Hispanic Faculty Association, Black Faculty and Staff Association, Asian & Asian American Faculty & Staff Council, Student Belonging (Division of Student Affairs), and  Student Affairs Success Initiatives.

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University'snondiscrimination policy.