COVID-19 Racial Discrimination and Mental Health of Korean Americans: Role of Ethnic Identity and Coping Strategy

The onset of COVID-19 has resulted in higher rates of racial discrimination toward Asian American and Pacific Islanders, including Korean Americans. This study used moderated mediation analyses to examine the relationship between COVID-19-related racial discrimination and anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction among Korean Americans (KA; N = 270) and explored the buffering effect of ethnic identity and coping strategies. Experiences of pandemic-related racial discrimination were linked to the severity of anxiety and depression levels among KA, which resulted in lower levels of life satisfaction. Coping strategies moderated the link between depression and life satisfaction but not between anxiety and life satisfaction. Ethnic identity exacerbated the relationship between racial discrimination and levels of anxiety and depression. The significance of these findings highlights the important role of coping strategy and ethnic identity in mental health among KA during the pandemic. Based on these findings, implications for professional counselors are outlined.