Trends in Racial Discrimination Experiences for Asian Americans During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background Asian Americans (AAs) are experiencing increased rates of anti-Asian racism during COVID-19. Experiences of racism, whether personal or collective, constitute stress and psychosocial trauma that negatively impact mental and physical health. Objectives Examine subgroup differences in rates of personal experience of discrimination and COVID-related collective racism and how each is associated with mental and physical health for AAs. Methods Nationally representative data from the 2021 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander COVID-19 Needs Assessment Project were used to estimate prevalence rates of discrimination and average COVID-related collective racism scores for AAs (unweighted N = 3478). We conducted logistic and linear regression models to examine subgroup differences by sociodemographic factors. We also conducted hierarchical logistic regression models to examine associations between racism and psychological distress and health decline. Results Twenty-four percent of AAs (95% CI: 21.6, 25.6) reported experiencing discrimination during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subgroup analyses revealed that Chinese, younger adults, and AAs who completed the survey in an Asian language were significantly more likely to experience discrimination compared to their counterparts. For COVID-related collective racism, subgroup analyses revealed that Chinese, women, and adults ages 25–44 were more likely to report experiences of collective racism compared to their counterparts. Both discrimination and collective racism were independently associated with negative mental and physical health. Conclusion Discrimination and COVID-related collective racism are associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes for AAs. Results point to vulnerable AA subgroups and the need for targeted public health efforts to address racism in the context of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Racism and Chinese American Families’ Mental Health: A Comparison between 2020 and 2021

“…Despite the change in administration, in 2021, Chinese American parents’ and youth’s heightened worries, fear, and concerns for their safety and well-being as racial minorities due to the Trump administration’s handling and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic did not decrease significantly from 2020. These findings support Tong et al’s [ 36 ] national survey results that Asian Americans perceived high levels of Asian hate online (a mean score of 3.72 on a 5-point scale) in 2020 and McGarity-Palmer et al’s [ 37 ] study that Chinese Americans rated a mean score of 3.75 on a 5-point scale measuring collective racism/Sinophobia in 2021.…”

How the COVID‐19 global pandemic further jeopardized women's health, mental well‐being, and safety: Intersectionality framework and social policy action

“…Even in the early months of the pandemic, there was concern that misinformation about COVID‐19 would ignite racist stereotypes about and discrimination against Asian Americans and that such behaviors would have a negative impact on the health of Asian Americans (Chen et al., 2020). Indeed, later research indicates that Asian Americans, particularly Chinese women, reported increased experiences of collective racism (McGarity‐Palmer et al., 2023), personal discrimination, and verbal and physical attacks (Hahm et al., 2021). Those who had personal experiences with discrimination were more likely to develop PTSD than those who did not experience discrimination directly (Hahm et al., 2021), but even those with indirect exposure showed increases in anxiety and depression (Cheah et al., 2020; Woo & Jun, 2022).…”

Discrimination and psychological distress among Asian Americans during COVID-19: Gender differences in the moderating role of social support.

“…The survey was designed with the input of different national and local AA and NH/PI serving community organizations, and it was conducted from January 18, 2021 to April 9, 2021 recruiting AA and NH/PI adults living in the United States aged 18 years and older. Five Asian subgroups were specifically targeted during study recruitment: Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, and South Asian ethnicities (e.g., Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani; McGarity-Palmer, Saw, Sun, et al, 2023; McGarity-Palmer, Saw, Tsoh, et al, 2023). However, if individuals from other Asian ancestries completed the survey, they were not excluded from recruitment.…”