The Trauma of COVID-19–Fueled Discrimination: Posttraumatic Stress in Asian American Adolescents

Abstract

With the emergence of COVID-19 in China, East and Southeast Asian American (ESEAA) students have reported increased incidents of COVID-19–fueled discrimination in online and offline (in-person) settings. Given the recency of this situation, there is a scarcity of research investigating the impact of COVID-19–related discrimination on ESEAA adolescents’ mental health, especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the current study, therefore, we provide evidence regarding the relations of COVID-19–fueled online and offline discrimination to PTSD symptoms in a sample of ESEAA high school students. We discuss study limitations; future recommendations; and implications for school leaders, school counselors, and other educators.

The Impact of COVID-19-Associated Discrimination on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Asian American Adolescents

“…Since COVID-19 emerged, studies published in this area have been flourishing. Nonetheless, our study is consistent with the investigations demonstrating the impact of CAD on adverse mental health outcomes among Chinese American (Cheah et al, 2020) and ESEAA adolescents (Ermis-Demirtas et al, in press). The current study joined in the efforts of uncovering the harmful impact of CAD on mental health among Asian American students and confirming the urgency of continuously promoting good health and well-being among all ages (UN, 2015).…”

“…Finally, the findings indicated that ESEAA participants experienced a similar level of CAD irrespective of their ethnic heritages. These outcomes contribute to the growing evidence that the victims of CAD include anyone who appears to be Asian (Ermis-Demirtas et al, in press; Litam, 2020).…”

“…Thus, adolescence may be a vulnerable period for the negative impact of racial discrimination against Asian Americans. Although the model minority stereotype may disguise their discrimination experiences and needs, they face unique race-related stressors, leading to racial trauma and poor developmental outcomes (Ermis-Demirtas et al, in press; Saleem et al, 2020).…”

“…Cheah and colleagues postulated that youth appear to show greater vulnerability to CAD because they are in the process of social-cognitive and identity development. In addition, Ermis-Demirtas et al (in press) recently discovered that online and in-person CAD significantly predicted posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among East and Southeast Asian American (ESEAA) students. Combined with the reported incidents targeting Asian American youth, these findings illustrate the urgent need to address CAD further and its potential adverse mental health outcomes among ESEAA adolescents.…”

Introduction to the Special Issue on School Counselors Addressing Education, Health, Wellness, and Trauma Disparities

“…The article concludes with antiracist recommendations for responding to racial trauma. In the second article, “The Trauma of COVID-19–Fueled Discrimination: Posttraumatic Stress in Asian American Adolescents,” Ermis-Demirtas et al (2022) take a quantitative approach to examine the relationship between pandemic-related online and offline discrimination and PTSD symptoms in a sample of East and Southeast Asian American high school students. The concluding article, “The Impact of COVID-19-Related Educational Disruption on Early Elementary Students and Their Families” ( Randolph & Wirth, 2022 ), is a conceptual article that employs a case example to highlight the pandemic difficulties endured by one school counselor and the families they work with.…”