Vicarious Racism and Vigilance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mental Health Implications Among Asian and Black Americans

Abstract

Objectives Experiences of vicarious racism—hearing about racism directed toward one’s racial group or racist acts committed against other racial group members—and vigilance about racial discrimination have been salient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined vicarious racism and vigilance in relation to symptoms of depression and anxiety among Asian and Black Americans. Methods We used data from a cross-sectional study of 604 Asian American and 844 Black American adults aged ≥18 in the United States recruited from 5 US cities from May 21 through July 15, 2020. Multivariable linear regression models examined levels of depression and anxiety by self-reported vicarious racism and vigilance. Results Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, among both Asian and Black Americans, greater self-reported vicarious racism was associated with more symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.92 [95% CI, 0.97-2.87]; Black: β = 1.72 [95% CI, 0.95-2.49]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 2.40 [95% CI, 1.48-3.32]; Black: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.17-2.78]). Vigilance was also positively related to symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.54 [95% CI, 0.58-2.50]; Black: β = 0.90 [95% CI, 0.12-1.67]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.05-2.91]; Black: β = 1.64 [95% CI, 0.82-2.45]). Conclusions Mental health problems are a pressing concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from our study suggest that heightened racist sentiment, harassment, and violence against Asian and Black Americans contribute to increased risk of depression and anxiety via vicarious racism and vigilance. Public health efforts during this period should address endemic racism as well as COVID-19.

Experience of and Worry About Discrimination, Social Media Use, and Depression Among Asians in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Survey Study

“…Drawing on survey data from 209 Asians residing in the United States, the study presents the findings consistent with earlier research [20,21] showing that experience of racial discrimination induced by the COVID-19 pandemic was negatively related to the well-being among Asian people. Effective interventions should be designed to provide timely assistance to Asians who have experienced discrimination during the pandemic to prevent them from developing further depressive symptoms.…”

“…It is worthwhile to examine the two constructs' unique relationship with depression, as previous literature suggested that the two might have different psychological implications. Although experienced discrimination was consistently associated with poor well-being [20,21], the role of worry seemed less conclusive. Worry is a normal mental reaction to impending events in our lives, and it only poses a threat when it becomes persistent and less controllable [25,26].…”

“…[17][18][19]. Recent studies have found that racial discrimination against Asian people is negatively associated with psychological well-being among this group during the COVID-19 outbreak [20,21]. One study found that direct experiences of racial discrimination during this period were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms among Chinese American parents and youth [20].…”

“…One study found that direct experiences of racial discrimination during this period were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms among Chinese American parents and youth [20]. Another study found that vicarious racism, defined as indirect experiences of discrimination experienced by hearing about or seeing racist acts against other members of one's racial group, was also associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety among Asian Americans [21].…”

COVID-Related Victimization, Racial Bias and Employment and Housing Disruption Increase Mental Health Risk Among U.S. Asian, Black and Latinx Adults

“…Moreover, the number of hate crimes in the U.S. during 2020 reported by FBI was the highest since 2008 (11). Direct and vicarious forms of racial/ethnic discrimination during the pandemic have been found to be positively associated with decreased mental health among racial/ethnic minority adults (12)(13)(14)(15). A recent study involving a national sample of Asian, Black, Indigenous, and Latinx young adults ages 18-25 found the majority of respondents reported at least one instance of COVID-related victimization and when controlling for pre-existing COVID-19 medical risks and financial insecurity, perceptions that the coronavirus has increased racial bias across the country mediated the positive association between coronavirus victimization distress and depression and anxiety (16).…”