Racialized-gendered Experiences and Mental Health Vulnerabilities of Young Asian Women in Toronto, Canada

Krisel Abulencia; Coralee McLaren; Mandana Vahabi; Josephine P. Wong

doi:10.25071/2291-5796.125

Authors

Krisel Abulencia Ryerson University
Coralee McLaren https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8636-5796
Mandana Vahabi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7950-7335
Josephine P. Wong https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8262-7725

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/2291-5796.125

Keywords:

mental health, young Asian women, racialized-gendered experiences, structural competence, cultural humility

Abstract

Discourses of mental health vulnerabilities of women in the Asian diaspora s are often invoked through the concepts of “culture” with little consideration of asymmetric power relations and structural influences. We used a narrative approach to explore the experiences and perspectives on culture, identities, relationships, and mental health among young Asian women living in Toronto, Canada. We engaged 14 participants in focus groups and individual interviews, and identified four overall themes: (1) racialized-gendered bodily abjection, (2) experiences of enacted racism and sexism, (3) perceptions of familial expectations, and (4) their strategies of coping and resilience. Our analysis revealed how Whiteness and structural violence shape the racialized-gendered experiences of young Asian women and perpetuate microaggressions that compromise their mental health and well-being. Critical nursing practice must question the idea of “culture” embedded in the dominant discourse of “culturally competent” care. Nurses need to achieve structural competence to dismantle systems of oppression and unequal power relations.

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Author Biographies

Krisel Abulencia, Ryerson University

Krisel Abulencia, RN, MN, is a registered nurse with experience in research and community health. She completed her Master of Nursing thesis at Toronto Metropolitan University, which explored the structural drivers of acculturation and enculturation in the Canadian context. Her research interests explores how power relations and social inequities shape the mental health of racialized young people. She is committed to de-/re-constructing knowledge to promote other ways of knowing and collective resilience.

Coralee McLaren

Coralee McLaren, RN, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and an adjunct scientist at Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. Combining postmodern theory with artistic and empirical methods, her research seeks to gain critical insights into the relationship between movement and cognition in children with dis/abilities and optimize their social inclusion at school. This work draws on her former career with the Toronto Dance Theatre and teaching experience at the associated School, York and Toronto Metropolitan University Dance Departments.

Mandana Vahabi

Mandana Vahabi, RN, PhD, is a professor at Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and co-director of the Centre for Global Health and Health Equity at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research and scholarship focuses on health equity and social determinants of health, particularly in the areas of cancer screening, food security, mental and sexual health. Drawing on her extensive experience in social epidemiology and community health, she works closely with multidisciplinary teams and community stakeholders to develop research underpinned by the principles of cultural congruence and meaningful engagement.

Josephine P. Wong

Josephine Pui-Hing Wong, RN, PhD, holds the positions of Professor and Research Chair in Urban Health in Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has extensive experience in critical public health, including the development of access and equity policies, and public health practice frameworks. Her program of research is underpinned by the principles of social justice and equity. She is committed to doing research “with” and “not for” the affected communities. She seeks to go beyond asking the “so what” question to identify “what is possible” through research. She works closely with affected communities to create and implement socially innovative strategies that promote collective resilience and social change. Her research program focuses on social identities and health practices, migration, HIV, mental health and stigma reduction in diasporic communities.

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