BIO

My name is Elias and I am a psychology major. I plan to attend graduate school but I have not narrowed in on a Ph.D. program. My academic interests within the field of psychology range from mental health, education, social psychology, and prejudice. I am eager to gain experience and am interested in pursuing further research at the undergraduate level.

Examining Cultural Sensitivity for Mindfulness Meditations for Chinese American Youth

Abstract

The rise of Asian hate has exacerbated already existing distress among Chinese American Adolescents (CAA). Research has demonstrated the positive impact of mindfulness meditation on adolescents. However, there exists a gap in research surrounding cultural sensitivity and mindfulness meditations in CAA. Cultivating a culturally sensitive meditation (either brief meditation or long meditation), means facilitating specific cultural, linguistic, and developmental characteristics within the meditation. By examining cultural sensitivity in CAA we hope to strengthen mindfulness meditation for CAA as well as apply new ways to further define cultural sensitivity for other cultural groups. We surveyed 20 CAA ages 14-18 from the Boston area and Florida panhandle and encompassed different socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants were asked to review a series of mindful meditation videos (What is Mindfulness, Hello Breath: Listen, 3-Minute Breathing Space, Feel Calm and Relaxed, Experience Mindfulness) and were asked questions pertaining to cultural sensitivity, age-appropriate content, colors, music, and narration. Results indicated a mostly positive response from the CAA participants in the categories of culturally sensitive content, colors, narration, and music. There was a slightly negative response within some of the videos surrounding age-appropriate content as well as characters. Reviewers were given an opportunity to suggest improvements to each video, which were used to better refine cultural sensitivity within the context of this study. The results of the study are being used to develop the RRE (Relax, Reflect, Empower) app. This mobile application will help combat stress and depression amongst CAA.

Keywords: Cultural Sensitivity, Mental Health