The intersectional invisibility of race and disability status: an exploratory study of health and discrimination facing Asian Americans with disabilities

Abstract

Purpose

There is a dearth in the literature on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) with disabilities. Utilizing an intersectionality lens, the present exploratory study seeks to compare AAPIs with a reported learning, emotional, or physical disability to AAPIs without a reported disability on their experiences of discrimination, psychological and physical health, as well as their overall physical and mental health ratings.

Design/methodology/approach

The Asian American sample (n=2,095) of The National Latino and Asian American Study dataset was used to conduct the analyses for the present study. Participants with disabilities self‐reported the following disabilities: learning (n=46); emotional/mental (n=56); physical (n=71); and having a condition that substantially limits physical activity (n=157).

Findings

Despite some minor nuances, the overall results indicate that AAPIs with a learning, emotional, or physical disability reported more experiences of everyday discrimination, greater psychological and physical distress, and poorer physical and mental health ratings than AAPIs without a reported disability.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations to this study included assessment of disability through self‐report dichotomous measures, aggregation of AAPI ethnic groups, and some small effect sizes.

Practical implications

The results have several implications for research as well as clinical care and practice. These are highlighted in more detail in the discussion section.

Originality/value

These findings are novel as they are the first to demonstrate the discrimination and health experiences of AAPIs with disabilities. The results underscore the interlocking oppressions associated with their intersectional identities.

Citation

Mereish, E.H. (2012), "The intersectional invisibility of race and disability status: an exploratory study of health and discrimination facing Asian Americans with disabilities", Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1108/17570981211286796