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While an emerging body of research has documented increasing discrimination and violence towards Asian Americans during and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic (Noe-Bustamante et al., 2022; Ruiz et al., 2021), little has been reported on the devastating experiences of Asian Hate on Asian Americans’ mental health, particularly among Korean immigrants. Racial discrimination as a contributing element to psychological distress (Coimbra et al., 2022; Paradies et al., 2015) and related challenges have been intensified with the rise in anti-Asian aggression during the pandemic (Chen et al., 2022; Lee & Waters, 2021; Woo & Jun, 2022). This qualitative study is part of a larger mixed-method study that examined the experiences of Asian Hate in the Korean American community of Alabama. Drawing on their lived experiences, the current study aimed to explore the perceived impact of discrimination on their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Using a phenomenological research approach, 16 participants identified as Korean immigrants, 18 years or older, and who resided in Alabama were recruited. English and Korean versions of flyers were distributed to the community in person and online. Individual semi-structured virtual or in-person interviews were conducted in the participant’s preferred language (English or Korean) between March and May 2022 and each interview lasted 60 to 90 minutes. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using an inductive thematic analysis, two research team members coded transcripts independently and compared their coding through four consensus meetings, with a final meeting to finalize the themes.
Results
Our analysis revealed five main themes on the impact of the Asian Hate incidents on Korean immigrants’ mental health: (a) heightened emotional distress, (b) increased sense of victimization and vulnerability, (c) increased social isolation, (d) elevated tension because of enhanced responsibility, and (e) adopting maladaptive coping strategies as reactions to Asian Hate incidents. Korean immigrants in Alabama did not differ from the general population in experiencing negative mental health impacts because of COVID-19. However, participants explicitly emphasized that Asian Hate sentiment further aggravated the negative impact by generating range of emotional distress.
Conclusions and Implications
Consistent with emerging studies on Asian Americans’ mental health, our study documents that Korean immigrants in Alabama have gone through Asian Hate sentiment during the pandemic and still absorb negative experiences of discrimination in everyday life. They feel “I can be a victim anytime and anywhere” because they are Asian Americans regardless of their social status or country of origin. The negative experiences have tremendously changed how Korean immigrants think, feel, and act. The cultural values of collectivism and interdependence prominent in Korean culture may also make it difficult for individuals to seek help or share their experiences with others. It is vital to address the impact of Asian Hate sentiment on the mental health of all Asian individuals, including providing culturally sensitive mental health resources, increasing awareness and education about the effects of discrimination and racism, and advocating for systemic change to address these issues.