Overcompensation is described as favoritism towards a racial/ethnic group to “compensate” for one’s negative implicit associations with said group. Previous research indicates that overcompensation bias may occur when one’s explicit bias favors a group, while their implicit bias opposes that same group. Overcompensation bias is the proposed behavioral outcome of this implicit and explicit bias mismatch. Research has yet to examine how overcompensation bias in primary care providers (PCPs) impacts mental health decision-making, specifically with Asian American patients. The present study utilized a sample of 92 PCPs who completed measures of implicit and explicit bias. PCPs’ racial biases towards White and Asian American patients were measured via vignette administration and prompting for appropriate diagnoses and treatment plans. The results were consistent with overcompensation bias, as PCPs exhibited implicit pro-White/anti-Asian biases and explicit pro-White/pro-Asian biases. Increased pro-White implicit and explicit biases were related to greater likelihood of PCPs giving Asian patients a mental health referral. Asian patients were also less likely to receive an accurate diagnosis. These findings identify potential sources of service disparities, with implications for addressing equity in medical settings that have historically served as Asian Americans’ first line of mental healthcare.

Latinx communities in the U.S. face a unique combination of acculturative, systemic, racial and other traumatic stresses, necessitating the examination of interventions that may act as a buffer and promote well being (Nagy et al., 2022). Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated impact on well being, and work as a protective factor in the context of adversity (Chavez Dueñas et al., 2019). This systematic review examined 11 meta analyses and studies on MBIs in Latinx populations with trauma. The review identified salient themes and gaps in existing research, and future directions for implementing effective MBIs. Findings suggest that MBIs are feasible and acceptable for Latinxs, however, barriers to use must be addressed (Cotter & Jones, 2019). Empirically supported facilitators of use include offering multiple linguistic options, providing integrative frameworks to discuss mindfulness and religion, facilitating transportation and childcare, and using culturally responsive emotion regulation techniques, guided visualizations, and storytelling (Hinton et al., 2013; Nagy et al., 2022). A number of research gaps remain, such as the need to examine anti oppressive mindfulness practices to address racism, increase representation in clinical settings, employ community engaged strategies and strength based approaches, and use novel dissemination methods, such as digital intervention programs.

Given the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and a variety of negative physical, mental, and social outcomes, ACEs screening at pediatric visits has increased along with calls for effective interventions (AAP, 2014; Barnett et al., 2021). While caregivers can positively buffer against children’s toxic stress (CDC, 2019), caregivers’ own ACEs are often underemphasized in intervention research (Narayan et al., 2021). Latinx populations face increased ACEs risk and decreased service utilization, often related to systemic and individual level racism (Benuto et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2019; Shonkoff et al., 2021). The current study examines Latinx caregivers’ experiences with ACEs screenings and a resilience focused intervention. Participants (N = 11, 90% Latinx) were recruited for semi structured interviews from a larger randomized controlled trial taking place in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) primarily serving Latinx families. Using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2006), five key themes were identified: 1) interrupting intergenerational cycles, 2) understanding the impact of ACEs, 3) feeling heard, 4) learning without stigma, and 5) applying mindfulness practice to parenting. Findings shed important light on Latinx caregivers’ experience with ACEs screening and a resilience focused intervention. Findings and implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.