Addressing Differential Impacts of Covid-19 in NYS: The Impact of COVID-19 Related Anti-Asian Rhetoric and Racial Discrimination on the Mental Health of Asian Americans

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects socially vulnerable populations, including Asian Americans whereupon anti-Asian rhetoric and stigmas have worsened their mental health amid the crisis. In this paper, we seek to investigate the theory of interactionism as it relates to the nature of the disparities faced by Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the analysis, several disparities rooted in historical racism, socioeconomic state, and culture are identified stemming from racially charged messaging and actions. These disparities are used as a baseline to highlight recommendations aimed at mitigating the mental health challenges arising from associating COVID-19 with people of Asian descent. This paper has implications for scholars and practitioners interested in understanding how labeling and stigmatizing populations who are already vulnerable amid a public health crisis can negatively affect mental health and lives.