The Role of the Model Minority Myth and Goal Orientations in Asian American Undergraduates' Academic Help-Seeking

• In Event: Motivational and Cognitive Processes in Understudied and Minoritized Student Populations: Centering Voices and Experiences

Abstract

Prior work suggests that goal orientations are related to specific help-seeking orientations (i.e., autonomous, expedient, avoidant). However, aspects of student identity have not yet been considered as factors that may influence help-seeking orientations. In this study, endorsement of the model minority myth was measured in 354 Asian American undergraduates at two timepoints in spring 2021 to investigate whether myth endorsement moderated established relationships between specific goal orientations and help-seeking orientations. Path analysis indicated that mastery-approach orientation predicted an autonomous help-seeking orientation and performance-approach orientation predicted an expedient help-seeking orientation. A performance-avoid orientation did not predict an avoidant help-seeking orientation. Although model minority endorsement predicted an expedient help-seeking orientation, it did not moderate any of the predicted relationships.

Authors

• Alana Aiko Uilani Kennedy, Northern Arizona University

• Erika A. Patall, University of Southern California

• Gale M. Sinatra, University of Southern California