Past Research Projects

Low-Income Asian Americans in Massachusetts

This study utilizes the Census 2000 Public-Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) files to present a detailed profile of low-income Asian Americans. As Asian Americans are a highly socio-economicially diverse group, statistics given on the population as a whole tend to obscure the portion that is either living in poverty or have low incomes. This report will look at various aspects of low-income Asian Americans including age, gender, occupation, educational attainment, years in the U.S., and English proficiency.

Cambodian American Mental Health and Trauma

IAAS is conducting an empirical investigation of the stresses, coping patterns, and adaptational patterns of first generation Khmer (Cambodian) adult refugees in Lowell and Lynn. The study uses a sociological stress process model to address the lives and experiences of the Khmer refugee adults and implications for health/mental health service programs.

The study explores 1) Khmer refugee concepts of health and illness and clinical treatment preferences; 2) stressors, preferred coping strategies, and adjustment patterns; and 3) an interactive stress, coping, and adjustment model as a framework for conceptualizing relations of the variables under study and for guiding data analysis alternatives.

Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Neighborhood Revitalization Study

This study sponsored by the Immigrant Learning Center examines the impact of immigrant businesses on ethnically diverse communities in Boston. The three neighborhoods in the city of Boston being targetted are: Allson, East Boston, and Fields Corner in Dorchester. The Institute for Asian American Studies is collaborating with the Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy to gather and anayze the data.

Asian American Political Participation

The IAAS is currently conducting several studies measuring voter registration and voter turnout rates of Asian Americans in cities and towns in Massachusetts, as well as collecting data on political contributions of Asian Americans to candidates running for office in Massachusetts.

Assessment of Elder Care Services for the Chinese American Community

The Institute for Asian American Studies, in collaboration with the George Schlichte Learning Center at the South Cove Manor Nursing Home, is conducting a research study to identify and assess the elder care services which are currently available to the Chinese American community in the Greater Boston area.

The project will identify the culturally- and linguistically-appropriate services currently available to Chinese American elderly and their families, creating a centralized resource database of elder care services. This information will be collected and published in a guidebook to enable service providers and families to find culturally-sensitive elder care services when the need arises.

The project will also conduct a survey of elder care services and caregivers, as well as families of Chinese elderly. This needs assessment will identify the services which are currently available and will document their existence. It will also identify those elder care services that are not yet available to meet the needs of Chinese elderly, their families, and their caregivers. Based upon these findings, this research study will develop recommendations on the specific types of culturally-and linguistically-appropriate services essential for Chinese elderly in the greater Boston area.

Understanding Trends in Demand for Massachusetts Emergency Services

In partnership with the McCormack Institute for Public Affairs, the Institute for Asian American Studies conducted research on "Understanding Trends in Demand for Massachusetts Emergency Services", a project funded by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, which assessed the impact of welfare reform on providers and recipients of emergency services -- shelter, food, fuel, housing, and protection from domestic violence. The IAAS focused upon Asian Americans and the agencies who serve them, providing a detailed and comprehensive picture of welfare reform's influence on the use, accessibility, and delivery of essential emergency services.

Community Profiles in Massachusetts: Asian Pacific Americans

Analyzed and published demographic data based on the 1990 U.S. Census data on Asian Americans in a series of ten Community Profiles in Massachusetts: Asian Pacific Americans. The profiles include basic statistics relating to size of the APA populations, ancestry, age, income, employment, education, and housing.

Cultural Competency in Delivery of Medicaid Services

Conducted a research study funded by the Massachusetts Department of Medical Assistance (DMA) assessing Cultural Competency in Delivery of Medicaid Services, and prepared reports on Morbidity and Mortality Rates for Asian Americans in Massachusetts with the McCormack Institute. This project provided consultation on issues of cultural competence development strategies in accordance with the DMA goals for serving linguistic, racial, and ethnically diverse populations in Massachusetts.

Center for Community Economic Development

Established a Center for Community Economic Development (CCED) with the Trotter and Gaston Institutes and conducted research on community economic development in the Boston area with grant funds provided by the Office of University Partnerships, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The CCED focused on the areas of small business development, employment and training, housing, and community planning through conducting research, and providing training and technical assistance. Through the CCED, IAAS has worked with a number of Boston Chinatown community organizations by compiling neighborhood data and conducting geographic information classes to members of CCED's Chinatown organizational partners.

Changing Demographics: Challenges and New Opportunities for Boston

Commissioned by the Boston Foundation to present and analyze data on the demographic changes, as well as historical information, of the city of Boston. Produced in collaboration with the Trotter and Gaston Institutes in providing information to address the transformation of Boston into one of the most racially and ethnically diverse cities in the nation

The Bridges Project: Asian and Pacific HIV Integrated Service Delivery Model

Conducted a study measuring HIV services in a project funded ($85,000) by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration called "The Bridges Project: Asian and Pacific HIV Integrated Service Delivery Model" (with Fenway Community Health Center)

Needs Assessment and Satisfaction Survey of Asian American Families with Developmentally Disabled Children

Conducted a study of the Needs Assessment and Satisfaction Survey of Asian American Families with Developmentally Disabled Children with a $15,000 grant from the University of Massachusetts/Department of Mental Retardation Collaboration.