COVID-19, Anti-Asian Discrimination and Stress: Impacts and Mental Health Needs by Age

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated anti-Asian discrimination, leading to significant health and well-being impacts on Asian American groups. These impacts, however, are not universal as different age groups may experience differential health impacts as a result of discrimination. Using data from n = 3,159 Asian American participants from the Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander COVID-19 Needs Assessment Study, this study seeks to assess whether younger Asian American adults (younger than 60 years) were more or less likely than older Asian American adults (60 years or older) to report stress about discrimination and impact from discrimination. Analyses revealed that compared to older Asian American adults, younger adults were more likely to report a higher prevalence of stress about discrimination and also more likely to report having faced discrimination as a result of the pandemic. This association remained after adjusting for potential confounders, including self-reported mental health conditions and stress about mental health. These findings suggest a need to explore the specific impacts by age group to better tailor programs and interventions based on age group needs.