Navigating Stress and Coping Strategies in Chinese American Families Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the stressful experience of Chinese American families during the COVID-19 syndemic by focusing on perceived stress, coping strategies, socialization of coping, and posttraumatic growth. The sample was drawn from a larger longitudinal study of 529 Chinese American parents, which included both surveys and qualitative interviews. In this dissertation, I analyzed data from 47 semi-structured interviews with Chinese American parents of 12- to 18-year-olds conducted between March and May 2021, followed by nine participants in three follow-up focus groups in September 2024. Guided by the grounded theory, the data was analyzed with MAXQDA 24. The findings showed that Chinese American parents experienced well-being concerns, daily disruptions, as well as racial discrimination. Chinese American parents appraised stress by considering environmental, personal, cultural, and identity factors. Social connections emerged as the most commonly reported coping strategy across various stressors. Many Chinese American parents also socialized their children to cope with racial stress by supporting their children to promote social change and embrace their American identity. Despite the ongoing challenges, Chinese American parents reported posttraumatic growth in areas such as renewed perspectives on ways of living, evolved parenting approaches, strengthening interpersonal connections, and making social impacts. A conceptual model was developed based on the results of this study and it highlighted the concept of flourishment, along with the dynamics of navigating multiple identities in the stress and coping process. This model makes a significant contribution to the field, as many similar stress process models fail to fully address the intersectionality of cultures and identities. Implications for mental health practitioners include the need for culturally informed interventions that consider the unique stressors and experience faced by Chinese American families.