Perceived racial and cultural discrimination and eating disorder risk among Asian American college students: Psychological and contextual mediating pathways.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined associations between perceived racial and cultural discrimination and two outcomes, SCOFF-positive eating disorder symptoms and thin-ideal internalization, among Asian American college students, testing psychological and contextual mediators.

PARTICIPANTS

Data were drawn from 15,253 self-identified Asian American students from U.S. institutions participating in the 2022-2024 Healthy Minds Study.

METHODS

Single-mediator mediation models estimated total, direct, and indirect effects and the proportion mediated.

RESULTS

Perceived racial and cultural discrimination was associated with higher odds of both outcomes. Indicators of campus climate-lower group belonging and reduced perceived institutional prioritization of student mental health-showed significant indirect associations with both outcomes. In contrast, psychological inflexibility did not represent a significant indirect pathway after adjusting for depressive and anxiety symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight the role of contextual and institutional factors, particularly campus belonging and perceived mental health support, in explaining associations between discrimination and eating disorder risk. Interventions that reduce discrimination and strengthen inclusive, identity-affirming campus environments may help mitigate disordered eating risk among Asian American college students.