The Psychology of the South Asian Diaspora

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Beyond the Stereotype: Understanding Asian Mental Health

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on May 29, 2026

In honor of AAPI month, this post explores the common challenges among East Asian and South Asian individuals and attempts to build some solidarity between these groups.

Family Dynamics

Duty vs. Selfhood: Family Dynamics in the South Asian Diaspora

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on April 21, 2026

South Asians are impacted even today by a joint family system and the challenges of walking the line between collectivist and individualistic beliefs.

Artificial Intelligence

Digitally Connected, Emotionally Disengaged

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on December 12, 2025

Understanding why we reach for devices, the rise of AI, and finding balance in a screen-filled world.

Ariana Dindiyal, litigation associate at Baker & Hostetler LLP, previously served as a federal judicial law clerk and Assistant Corporation Counsel at the New York City Law Department.

Career

Balancing Culture and Ambition as South Asian Women in Law

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on August 27, 2025

South Asian women in law face prestige, pressure, and patriarchy—yet are rewriting success through resilience, community, and balance.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

South Asians and the Art of Putting Things Off

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on July 6, 2025

A Personal Perspective: A deeper dive into delayed gratification versus avoidance.

India was a popular destination for summer vacations.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Why Sleeping In Is Not a Thing in the South Asian Community

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on April 8, 2025

Rising later in the morning tends to be viewed unfavorably among South Asians. What drives these beliefs?

Trauma

The Partition of 1947 and Intergenerational Trauma

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on January 20, 2025

Current-day South Asian beliefs around career, marriage, and financial status may have underpinnings in long-ago adverse events.

Media

Combatting the Dark Side of Tech Overuse In Adolescents

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on November 15, 2024

In conversation with Julie Scelfo, a parent and activist concerned by children's social media use.

Guilt and shame around family name as well as dedication to keeping a marriage together can often hinder Southasian women from disclosing abuse.

Domestic Violence

Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Violence in the South Asian Community

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on November 11, 2024

A South Asian survivor of domestic violence shares her story and how she found the courage to escape.

Burnout

Understanding Burnout Among South Asian American Physicians

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on August 10, 2024

What South Asian physicians and experts have to say about their burnout experiences.

Jyoti Chand, know as “Mamajotes” on social media has an M.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She is a comedian and advocate for self-care, self-love, and maternal mental health. Jyoti also uses her platform @thesoberDesi to create a safe space for sober Southasian diaspora.

Alcoholism

Substance Use Disorders in the South Asian Community

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on May 23, 2024

An interview with Vasavi Kumar and Jyoti Chand on substance abuse in the South Asian community, and barriers to getting help.

Mindfulness

The Psychology of Rejection

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on March 7, 2024

Tips for dealing with rejection as a salesperson can be applied to other areas of our lives.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

South Asian Parents and Their Expectations

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on January 22, 2024

Dealing with parental expectations can be challenging and impact various areas of life in the South Asian Diaspora. Find ways to disrupt the script!

Seema Hari is a non-binary engineer, multihyphenate artist, producer and activist focused on annihilating colorism, casteism and queerphobia through their work. They co-produced the internationally acclaimed short film 'Sheer Qorma' with director Faraz Arif Ansari, which has won awards at the BAFTA-Qualifying FRAMELINE Film Festival (San Francisco) and the Academy Award-qualifying Out on Film (Atlanta).

Trauma

Embracing Darkness in a Colorist World

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on October 26, 2023

There has been an upsurge among younger generations in the South Asian diaspora in resistance to colorist perspectives and labels.

Anita Kalathara, actress (India Sweets & Spices; The Mindy Project (as the young Mindy); Voice of Kavi Sharma, first South Asian American Girl Doll in the Kavi animated series on YouTube. Anita is also a writer and filmmaker (Unfair & Lovely).

Race and Ethnicity

Dismantling Colorism in the South Asian Diaspora

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on September 8, 2023

Artists turned activists are using their platforms in the media to eradicate colorism and create a shift in mindset around South Asian beauty standards.

Race and Ethnicity

Childhood Through the Lens of Colorism

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on July 31, 2023

Two women whose childhoods and self-esteem were shaped by colorism have written books that are at the center of advocacy against the bias.

Identity

Rethinking the Scripts on Identity in the Indian Diaspora

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on June 28, 2023

An interview with a South Asian mother and son.

Identity

Being Young, LGBTQIA+, and South Asian

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on May 4, 2023

Parental acceptance, societal challenges, and the cultural competency of therapists are significant factors in the well-being of South Asian LGBTQIA individuals.

Self-Esteem

South Asian Women Seeking 'Fair and Lovely' Comments Only

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on March 16, 2023

For generations, South Asian communities have normalized colorism and body-shaming comments.

Identity

On Being Brown and Trans

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on January 10, 2023

Coming out is not an easy journey and is especially hard for South Asians. Family support and social connection can make this a less arduous process.