Discrimination Experiences during COVID-19 among a National, Multi-Lingual, Community-Based Sample of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: COMPASS Findings

Abstract

Reports of escalated discrimination among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) due to COVID-19 are alarming, making this a public health priority. However, there are limited empirical studies on the scope and impact of COVID-19-related discrimination among AAPIs. Using the COVID-19 Effects on the Mental and Physical Health of AAPI Survey Study (COMPASS) data (N = 4971; survey period: October 2020–February 2021), which is a U.S.-wide multi-lingual survey, we examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with discrimination experiences attributable to being an AAPI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 60.7% reported experiencing discrimination; the group prevalence ranged from 80.0% (Hmong) to 40.5% (Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders). Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that COVID-19-related factors were associated with many discrimination experiences: having a shelter-in-place order of ≥1 month, living in areas with perceived similar/higher COVID-19 severity, and negative impact in family income/employment due to COVID-19. Additionally, being Asian American (versus Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders), females, non-heterosexuals, younger, more severe effect on family income, living in the non-West, and poorer health were significantly correlated with discrimination experiences. Findings may assist in formulating anti-AAPI-discrimination policies and programs at the local, state, and federal levels. Culturally appropriate programs and policies to combat this are urgently needed.

Racial Bias Beliefs Related to COVID-19 Among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders: Findings From the COVID-19 Effects on the Mental and Physical Health of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Survey Study (COMPASS)

“…Social determinants of health and contextual models suggest that race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and social environment are important factors related to experiences of discrimination and racial bias [14,15]. Research on discrimination and Asian American individuals has shown that perceived discrimination varies by age, gender, and other demographic characteristics [7,16,17]…”

“…Few studies collected data on discrimination experiences or incidents broken down by Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander ethnic groups. A large survey (N=4971) of Asian American and Pacific Islander participants found that 60.7% experienced discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reports of these experiences were particularly high for Hmong (80%), ethnic Chinese (64.7%), Korean (64.2%), Filipino (61.3%), Japanese (57.7%), Vietnamese (55.7%), Asian Indian (41.5%), and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (40.5%) participants [ 7 ]. In another survey of >2400 Asian American and Pacific Islander women during January and February of 2022, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women reported the highest percentage (80%) of reporting racism or discrimination incidents or harassment, followed by similar levels reported by East Asian (72%), South Asian (73%), and Southeast Asian (75%) women [ 8 ].…”

“…Social determinants of health and contextual models suggest that race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and social environment are important factors related to experiences of discrimination and racial bias [ 14 , 15 ]. Research on discrimination and Asian American individuals has shown that perceived discrimination varies by age, gender, and other demographic characteristics [ 7 , 16 , 17 ]. Drawing on these frameworks and previous research, we used data from the COVID-19 Effects on the Mental and Physical Health of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Survey Study (COMPASS), a nationwide, multilingual, community-based survey conducted in the United States to empirically examine racial bias beliefs on Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals, as related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a cross-sectional analysis of the factors associated with these beliefs.…”

Everyday Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms among Gujarati Adults: Gender Difference in the Role of Social Support

“…Violence against Asians has sharply increased and become more visible since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], which makes research on discrimination and its impact on the psychological well-being of Asians in the USA timely and urgent. In response to this important public health problem, research on anti-Asian discrimination has increased in recent years, documenting a significant association between discrimination, especially unfair treatment, and psychological distress [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], consistent with research on African Americans and other minority groups [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Unified in Our Diversity to Address Health Disparities Among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

“…Although AA/NHPIs represent a very diverse set of communities with unique sociocultural and socioeconomic characteristics, they share a similar history and experience of discrimination and marginalization in the U.S. that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic with the rise in hate crimes against their communities. 3 , 4 The historical mistrust toward the intentions of government and science shared by AA/NHPI communities has resurfaced during this global pandemic, in part, complicating COVID-19 mitigation efforts in these communities. 5…”