Unveiling Protective and Risk Factors: Korean Americans in the Deep South and Their Encounters with Discrimination during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and Purpose: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-Asian discrimination in the U.S. has increased, particularly affecting Asian Americans. While existing research has focused on the mental health impact of such discrimination, fewer studies have explored the underlying risk and protective factors. Additionally, research on the experiences of Asian Americans, particularly in the growing population of the Deep South, remains limited. Existing studies often treat them as a monolithic group, overlooking the unique experiences of subgroups like Korean Americans, while racial discrimination research in the region has focused predominantly on Black-White dynamics, leaving the challenges faced by Korean Americans largely unexplored. This study aims to fill these gaps by examining (1) the discriminatory experiences of Korean Americans in the Deep South, (2) the risk and protective factors associated with these experiences, and (3) how these factors interact with discrimination. Given its exploratory nature, this study does not test specific hypotheses.

Method: In 2023, we surveyed 355 Korean Americans from the Deep South using a convenience sampling strategy. Discrimination status was measured with the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS; Williams et al., 1997). Independent variables were categorized into sociodemographic, immigration-related, interpersonal, health-related, and Covid-related factors. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics by discrimination status, and bivariate analyses assessed differences. Poisson regression with robust variance examined the relationships between discrimination status and risk/protective factors, with interaction terms to explore moderating effects. Only the interaction between English proficiency and ACEs was significant and retained in the final model.

Results: Of the 355 participants, 75.5% reported discrimination, primarily poor service at restaurants or stores (49%) and being treated with less courtesy (16%). Those who experienced discrimination were more likely to report better English proficiency and higher ACE scores, while those not experiencing discrimination reported better social support and general health. Poisson regression showed that individuals with proficient English were 43% more likely to experience discrimination (IRR = 1.43, p = 0.001). Higher social support and better general health were linked to lower discrimination, while higher ACE scores increased its likelihood. A significant interaction between English proficiency and ACEs (IRR = 0.96, p = 0.042) indicated that English proficiency's impact on discrimination varied with ACEs. No significant associations were found with sociodemographic factors, citizenship, or Covid-related measures.

Conclusions and Implications: This study highlights the scarcity of research on anti-Asian discrimination in the Deep South during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing insights into the lived experiences of Korean Americans. Health practice and policy implications include the need to enhance social support, culturally competent healthcare training, and awareness campaigns, particularly for immigrants with higher English proficiency and more ACEs. Asian Americans show varying sensitivity, especially regarding respect and courtesy in relationships, as evidenced by most participants. Training should focus on the unique cultural nuances of Asian American patients. Our research calls for a nuanced understanding of discrimination experiences among Korean Americans, especially in regions with historical racial tensions, and advocates for policies that address these challenges.