COVID-19, Discriminatory, and Mental Health Experiences Among Asian Individuals in the U.S.
Abstract
The present online survey study sought to examine the experiences and understandings of, as well as associations among, discrimination, mental health symptoms, hypervigilance, internalized racism, and attitudes toward other BIPOC groups, for Asian adults in the U.S. both prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic. A total of 85 participants were included in data analyses exploring quantitative and qualitative responses about experiences both prior to and since/during the pandemic. Higher levels of everyday discrimination, hypervigilance, and internalized racism self-negativity were associated with higher levels of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization. Higher levels of everyday discrimination were also associated with greater BIPOC solidarity and lower feelings of connectedness with other racial/ethnic marginalized groups. Hypervigilance and internalized racism were tested as, but not found to be, mediators of associations between everyday discrimination and mental health symptoms, though change in hypervigilance mediated the relationships of change in everyday discrimination with change in anxiety and depression symptoms from prior to during the initial months of the pandemic. Various types of discriminatory experiences were reported both before and during the pandemic, with common types of discriminatory experiences including verbal discrimination and social avoidance. Factors that influenced decisions of seeking specific mental health providers included race/ethnic and cultural background of the provider and affordability. Results highlight the importance of addressing the impact of discrimination for clients through clinical care, as well as ensuring availability of mental health services. Greater understanding of perceptions and attitudes towards solidarity, discrimination, and mental health care would benefit movements for advocacy and culturally responsive care.
Subject Area
Psychology|Clinical psychology|Asian American Studies|Mental health
Recommended Citation
Leung, Stephanie, "COVID-19, Discriminatory, and Mental Health Experiences Among Asian Individuals in the U.S." (2023). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI30691476.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI30691476
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