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Sexual Racism and Mental Health Among Asian American Sexual Minority Men: The Moderating Role of Internalized Racism
Christopher Chiu1,2, Ryan M Wade3, Karen L Suyemoto4
1Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Sexual racism significantly harms the mental health of Asian American sexual minority men (ASMM). Higher internalized racism worsens the negative impact of sexual racism on depression symptoms in ASMM.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sexual racism creates a hierarchy of desirability, disproportionately affecting Asian American sexual minority men (ASMM).
- Previous research indicates sexual racism negatively impacts mental health, but quantitative studies on ASMM experiences are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the interrelations between sexual racism, internalized racism, and mental health among ASMM.
- To investigate the impact of sexual racism and internalized racism on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in ASMM.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 155 ASMM recruited online via dating apps.
- Participants reported demographic information, experiences of sexual racism, and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, problematic alcohol use).
- Statistical analyses included partial correlations and moderation analyses, adjusting for age, income, and education.
Main Results:
- Sexual racism positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms (r = .24-.25, p < .01).
- White rejection was linked to increased anxiety, depression, and stress (r = .22-.38, p < .01).
- Internalized racism amplified the association between sexual racism and depression symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Sexual racism and internalized racism are significantly linked to poorer mental health outcomes in ASMM.
- Findings underscore the need for interventions to address sexual racism and its mental health consequences.
- Multi-level prevention and intervention efforts are crucial to mitigate the negative effects of sexual racism on ASMM.
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