Mental Health Challenges for Second-Generation Asian Australians

Growing Up Between Two Cultures

Are you an Asian Australian who feels caught between two cultures? Perhaps you don't feel like you fully belong to either. Many second-generation immigrants experience this tension growing up between their family's culture and the culture of the country they call home.

In this article, I'll be referring to my own experiences and those of some of my clients who identify as Asian Australian second-generation immigrants (people born in Australia to parents from an Asian country). This is not a homogenous group. Asia is a large and diverse continent, but for this article I will be referring more specifically to East Asian (e.g., China, Japan and Korea) and Southeast Asian (e.g., Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand) cultural experiences. Every family, culture and individual is different, so these experiences won't resonate with everyone.

The reflections shared here come from both my lived experience as an Asian Australian Clinical Psychologist and themes that have emerged through my clinical work with clients from these communities.

How Culture Influences Mental Health

Culture is much more than the traditions we celebrate or the language we speak. It influences how we understand emotions, communicate with others, define success, make decisions and seek support during difficult times. From childhood, we learn these "rules" through our families, schools and communities, often without realising it. As a result, culture becomes one of the many factors that shapes our mental health and wellbeing.

For second-generation Asian Australians, this process can be especially complex. Many grow up learning one set of cultural values at home and another in the broader Australian community. Neither is inherently right or wrong. In fact, being exposed to both cultures can foster flexibility, empathy and a broader worldview. However, when the expectations of these cultural systems differ, it can sometimes create confusion, internal conflict or pressure to meet competing expectations.

Understanding these cultural influences doesn't mean blaming culture for mental health difficulties. Rather, it helps explain why certain experiences—such as perfectionism, guilt, difficulties setting boundaries or feeling caught between different expectations—may be more common for some second-generation Asian Australians.

Many Western cultures tend to value individuality, independence and assertiveness. Sharing your opinion and expressing your uniqueness are often encouraged. As philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson famously wrote, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

Many East and Southeast Asian cultures, on the other hand, place a greater emphasis on harmony, family obligation and respect for elders than is typically seen in mainstream Australian culture. Think of the Japanese proverb, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down."

Neither approach is inherently better than the other. However, growing up exposed to both can leave children trying to reconcile two very different sets of expectations. Behaviours that are praised in one environment may be criticised in another, making it difficult to know which cultural "rules" to follow.

Family Expectations and Filial Piety

Many first-generation immigrants came to Australia seeking safety, stability or greater opportunities for their families. Some arrived as refugees or asylum seekers after experiencing war, persecution or poverty. Others migrated in pursuit of education, employment or a better future.

As a result, some second-generation children may feel pressure to honour the sacrifices their parents made by succeeding academically or professionally.

In many cultures influenced by Confucian values, the concept of filial piety places a strong emphasis on respecting parents, caring for family and putting collective needs before individual desires. Being a "good child" may involve unquestioning obedience, avoiding conflict and prioritising family expectations.

When intergenerational trauma is also present, these expectations can become even stronger. Academic achievement, career choices and social reputation may be closely scrutinised by both family and community. Comparisons between children are not uncommon. "Why can't you be more like your cousin Jonny Kim? He's a Navy SEAL, doctor and astronaut. I just want you to become an accountant!"

While often intended as motivation, these messages can leave young people feeling that anything less than perfection is failure. Over time, these repeated messages may become internalised, shaping how people view themselves and their self-worth.

Identity and Sense of Belonging

Growing up between cultures can sometimes create a feeling of belonging everywhere and nowhere at the same time. For many people, identity is not something that feels fixed. It can shift depending on the environment, the people around you and the cultural expectations you are navigating.

At home, you may be told you're “Too Australian." Outside the home, you may simply be seen as "the Asian kid." Some people describe being called a "banana" — yellow on the outside and white on the inside — by members of their own community. Others remember being teased at school for bringing "weird food" or being treated as though they didn't quite belong.

Experiences can also differ across generations. As Asian popular culture has become more mainstream through K-pop, anime, Japanese cuisine, travel and Asian television dramas, younger Asian Australians may experience fewer overt forms of exclusion, although cultural stereotypes have by no means disappeared. Instead, they may take different forms, such as tokenism, assumptions based on ethnicity, being treated as a spokesperson for an entire culture, or experiencing the fetishization of Asian people.

At the same time, many second-generation Asian Australians find a sense of belonging through communities that celebrate shared cultural experiences. Whether it's through friendship groups, university clubs, cultural organisations or online spaces such as the Facebook community Subtle Asian Traits, connecting with others who have navigated similar experiences can be validating. Realising that you're not the only person who has felt caught between cultures can reduce feelings of isolation and help foster a stronger sense of identity.

Regardless of how these experiences present, they can leave people feeling disconnected from both cultures. Some respond by immersing themselves more deeply in their cultural heritage, while others distance themselves from it in an attempt to fit in or avoid discrimination. Over time, many Asian Australians develop an identity that is uniquely their own—one that draws from both cultures rather than belonging exclusively to either.

Racism and Everyday Microaggressions

Unfortunately, many Asian Australians have experienced racism in one form or another. Sometimes this is overt, such as verbal abuse or physical intimidation. Events like the rise in anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how quickly people can be made to feel unsafe within their own communities.

More commonly, racism can take the form of subtle everyday microaggressions. These might include comments such as:

* "Leave it to Jess—she's good at maths."

* "I've always wanted to date an Asian woman."

* Unsolicited touching of someone's hair.

* Being asked repeatedly, "Where are you really from?"

While these comments are often dismissed as jokes or compliments, they can leave the recipient feeling stereotyped, invalidated or questioning whether they are overreacting.

Over time, some people begin to internalise these experiences. They may minimise parts of their cultural identity, distance themselves from their heritage or tell themselves that their reactions are unreasonable in order to avoid conflict. Although understandable, this can gradually contribute to shame and internal conflict.

The Mental Health Impact

Constantly adapting yourself depending on who you're with can become emotionally exhausting. Over time, this can contribute to anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, low self-esteem and symptoms of depression.

Many second-generation Asian Australians describe feeling as though they are never "enough"—not Asian enough in one context and not Australian enough in another.

Intergenerational trauma may also mean that children grow up hearing stories of hardship or witnessing coping strategies such as emotional suppression, gambling or problematic substance use.

Setting healthy boundaries with parents, extended family or even employers can feel especially difficult when you've been raised to prioritise harmony and respect for authority. Differences in cultural expectations around authority, discipline, gender roles or family hierarchy can also make it harder for some people to recognise, disclose and seek support for family violence or emotionally abusive relationships.

How an Asian Psychologist Can Help

Working with an Asian psychologist may provide a space where you feel understood without needing to explain every cultural nuance.

For some people, choosing an Asian psychologist can reduce the emotional labour of explaining cultural expectations, family dynamics or experiences of racism. Shared lived experience can sometimes foster a sense of understanding and safety from the outset.

Of course, lived experience is only one part of effective therapy. A psychologist who is culturally responsive and genuinely curious about your background can also provide meaningful support.

Therapy can help you explore your identity, navigate family expectations, develop healthy boundaries, manage cultural conflicts and build a life that reflects both your cultural heritage and your own personal values.

The Strengths of Growing Up Between Cultures

Growing up between cultures can also foster unique strengths.

Many second-generation Asian Australians develop strong adaptability, empathy, cross-cultural communication skills and the ability to see situations from multiple perspectives. Learning to navigate different cultural expectations can build resilience and a deep appreciation for diversity.

Rather than seeing your background as something to overcome, it can become one of your greatest strengths.

Conclusion

Growing up between Asian and Australian cultures comes with unique challenges. Identity, family expectations, racism and cultural differences can all influence mental health in ways that are not always immediately recognised.

The good news is that you don't have to choose between cultures. Many people find that, over time, they build an identity that honours both their cultural heritage and their own individual values.

Rather than belonging to one world or the other, it's possible to create a sense of belonging that is authentically your own.