Channeling engagement into action: the role of empowerment in Asian Americans’ social media use in combating anti-Asian discrimination

Abstract

Asian American communities have experienced an uptick of anti Asian discrimination, racism, and hate incidents in recent years since the outbreak of COVID-19, yet anti-Asian discrimination and racism have historically been overlooked. Drawing on interdisciplinary insights from psychological empowerment, social media engagement, and collective action, this study examines if and how Asian Americans’ various forms of social media engagement activities could lead to their collective action in combating anti-Asian discrimination and racism, as well as mental well-being, and the role of psychological empowerment in these processes. Results revealed a nuanced view on how social media engagement activities may lead to psychological empowerment in the context of Asian Americans’ social media use amidst experiences of racism and discrimination: contributing social media engagement was positively associated with intrapersonal empowerment, whereas consuming social media engagement was positively associated with interactional empowerment. While both intrapersonal and interactional empowerment significantly contributed to Asian Americans’ collective action, only intrapersonal empowerment significantly contributed to mental well-being. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.