TY - JOUR PY - 2021// TI - Vicarious racism and vigilance during the CoViD-19 pandemic: mental health implications among Asian and Black Americans JO - Public health reports (1974) A1 - Chae, David H. A1 - Yip, Tiffany A1 - Martz, Connor D. A1 - Chung, Kara A1 - Richeson, Jennifer A. A1 - Hajat, Anjum A1 - Curtis, David S. A1 - Rogers, Leoandra Onnie A1 - Laveist, Thomas A. SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - OBJECTIVES: Experiences of vicarious racism-hearing about racism directed toward one's racial group or racist acts committed against other racial group members-and vigilance about racial discrimination have been salient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined vicarious racism and vigilance in relation to symptoms of depression and anxiety among Asian and Black Americans.

METHODS: We used data from a cross-sectional study of 604 Asian American and 844 Black American adults aged ≥18 in the United States recruited from 5 US cities from May 21 through July 15, 2020. Multivariable linear regression models examined levels of depression and anxiety by self-reported vicarious racism and vigilance.

RESULTS: Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, among both Asian and Black Americans, greater self-reported vicarious racism was associated with more symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.92 [95% CI, 0.97-2.87]; Black: β = 1.72 [95% CI, 0.95-2.49]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 2.40 [95% CI, 1.48-3.32]; Black: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.17-2.78]). Vigilance was also positively related to symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.54 [95% CI, 0.58-2.50]; Black: β = 0.90 [95% CI, 0.12-1.67]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.05-2.91]; Black: β = 1.64 [95% CI, 0.82-2.45]).

CONCLUSIONS: Mental health problems are a pressing concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS from our study suggest that heightened racist sentiment, harassment, and violence against Asian and Black Americans contribute to increased risk of depression and anxiety via vicarious racism and vigilance. Public health efforts during this period should address endemic racism as well as COVID-19.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0033-3549 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00333549211018675 ID - ref1 ER -