Asian Americans’ Mental-Health Experience and Help-Seeking during COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview: This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Asian Americans’ mental health and help-seeking behaviors. Given the complicated nature of Asian Americans’ mental health, developing a refined understanding of their mental health experience, resilience and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic has critical policy, practice, and research implications.Proposal text: Background and

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the physical and mental health of many, while disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority groups. However, less is known about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health well-being of Asian Americans’, the fastest growing racial group in the United States. Existing literature is scarce and focuses primarily on the discrimination brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and its role on Asian Americans’ mental health. Yet, aside from anti-Asian discrimination, Asian Americans face a number of unique challenges and risks during the pandemic which may negatively affect their mental well-being. Thus, it is imperative to obtain a comprehensive and refined understanding of Asian Americans’ mental health experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of resilience and coping with heightened mental health risks. This study provides an exploration of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health experience and help-seeking among Asian Americans.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, data was collected from an anonymous online survey via Qualtrics. Eligible participants included those who self-identified as Asian Americans or of Asian descent, over the age of 18, and living in the U.S. Our sample consisted of 159 Asian Americans. Information gathered in the survey included participants’ sociodemographics, immigration and acculturation, social support, COVID-19 related impact, physical health, mental health (e.g., depression assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9, anxiety assessed using General Anxiety Disorder-7), and mental health help-seeking. Descriptive analyses were conducted to provide an overview of the sample. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were performed to compare characteristics among participants with and without the presence of mild or greater anxiety or depression

Results: Of the 159 participants, only 13 (8.2%) reported no symptom of anxiety or depression. A total of 98 participants (61.6%) reported having anxiety or depression at a mild or greater level. Results indicated that the average perceived social support was significantly lower (p