Presentations

Abstract

Introduction:

Although the health impacts of racial discrimination for immigrants have been widely acknowledged in major US cities, little is known about the effect of anti-Asian racism on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the patterns and correlates of depression, anxiety, and coping strategies, using mixed-methods data collected in Eastern Virginia in April/August 2022.

Methods:

We analyzed data from online surveys (N=1,795) and semi-structured in-depth interviews (N=48) collected among AAPI recruited via social media channels and in-person events using three sampling criteria: 1) decedents of Asian and Pacific Islanders; 2) ages 18-85 years, and 3) residents of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regressions were performed, using survey data. Thematic analysis was performed to identify key themes, guided by the grounded theory and the Creswell method.

Results:

Around 8% of AAPI ever had a diagnosis of mental health problems, 16% had symptoms of anxiety, 14% had depression, and 40% experienced more than 10 S&D (stigma and discrimination) items. Adjusting for confounding factors, receiving a mental health diagnosis was associated with experiencing high levels of S&D (AOR:1.52, 95% CI:1.01-1.52), being females (AOR:1.66; 95% CI:1.05-2.64); having private insurance (AOR:0.49; 95% CI:0.24-0.98) 1.01: 2.35), receiving college education (AOR:0.47; 95% CI:0.27-0.85), and higher incomes (AOR:0.54; 95% CI:0.29- 0.99). Furthermore, having symptoms of anxiety was associated with being female (AOR:1.41; 95% CI:1.05-1.89) and U.S born (AOR:4.23; 95% CI:2.55-7.02); and having religious belief (AOR:1.72; 95% CI:1.22-2.44). Common stress coping strategies included talking with friends/families (44%), engaging in a game/sport (31.2%), and increased screen time (TV programs or social media). Qualitative interviews revealed higher mental health risks among AAPI who worked in blue-collar professions and had an English language barrier and significant buffering effects of receiving strong family/community support.

Conclusions:

Findings revealed high rates of depression/anxiety among AAPI and elevated mental health risk among AAPIs who were socially and economically disadvantaged and who had higher exposure to anti-Asian S&D. Findings highlighted highlighting the need for targeted interventions to combat racism against AAPI and to improve mental health among AAPIs living in smaller cities in the U.S.