Thirteenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Throughout Canada’s history, people of Asian descent have played a significant role in the country’s development since the 1700s. However, they have been mistreated with interpersonal and state-sanctioned racial discrimination. This paper analyzes the quantitative and qualitative data collected from a pan-Canadian online survey and interviews focusing on Asian Canadians’ experiences with anti-Asian racism and its impact on their well-being. Our findings show that Asian Canadians have experienced various racist incidents, witnessed people of the same race being subjected to racist behaviours, and been subjected to anti-Asian racism in different settings and living contexts. The study highlights the negative impact of anti-Asian racism on Asian Canadians’ well-being, including re-experiencing racist incidents, denial of their experiences, adverse changes in mood and recognition, physiological arousal and reactivity, dissociative symptoms, and overall personal distress and life interference. The paper also provides practical strategies to prevent anti-Asian racism and support those community members who have experienced it.