College Students' Experiences of Race-Related Bias or Hatred in Their Lifetimes and COVID-19 Era

Abstract

Objective:The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether students in minority race categories are more likely to experience race-related bias and hatred in their lifetime and since the onset of COVID-19, after controlling the effect of demographic and other variables. Methods: This quantitative study used primary data from the survey of 1249 college students at one of the universities in Georgia during April and May 2020. We performed multinomial logistic regression, computing 2 models for the 2 ordinal dependent variables concerning students' experience of race-related bias and hatred-(a) during their lifetime and (b) since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020-both measured as "never," "rarely," "sometimes," and "fairly often or very often." Results: During their lifetime, 47.5% of students had experienced some level of bias or hatred, ranging from "rarely" to "very often." Since the onset of COVID-19 on March 2 in Georgia, in a short period of 1 to 2 months, 17.6% of students reported experiencing race-related bias or hatred. Univariate statistics revealed substantial differences in race-related bias and hatred by race, experienced during students' lifetime as well as since the onset of COVID-19. Results of multinomial logistic regression showed that the odds of having experienced bias or hatred during their lifetime were significantly higher (P < .05) for the Black students than for White students (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 75.8, for very often or often vs never; AOR = 42 for sometimes vs never). Compared with White students, the odds of hatred and bias were also significantly higher for students who were Asian, multiple races, or another non-White race. The odds of having experienced racerelated bias and hatred since the onset of COVID-19 were also higher for Black Asian, multiple races, and other non-White students.Conclusions: This study adds critical scientific evidence about variation in the perception of bias and hatred that should draw policy attention to race-related issues experienced by college students in the United States.

Changes in Attachment to Parents and Peers and Relations With Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Few studies have also been able to examine how the pandemic may affect changes in attachment. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated that, rather than the expected increase in mental health risks during the pandemic, there is significant variability with many young adults not experiencing mental health problems (e.g., Cost et al, 2021 ; Shanahan et al, 2020 ) while some ethnic groups may experience more and worsened mental health concerns (e.g., Shah et al, 2021 ), underscoring the importance of addressing ethnic group differences.…”

“…Asian Americans were found to experience equivalent levels of mental health problems as other ethnic groups, with perceived and experienced racial discrimination being one of the main contributors (e,g., Hwang & Goto, 2008 ). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asians have been targeted even more with reported anti-Asian hatred and crime (e.g., Shah et al, 2021 ). Moreover, Asian American’s wellbeing has been found to be positively impacted by attachment to parents and peers (e.g., Ying & Lee, 2007 ; Han & Lee, 2011 ).…”

“…Finally, given that our sample has a significant number of Asian American students, we also examine potential ethnic differences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Americans experienced increased levels of anti-Asian sentiment, discrimination and crime, due to the wide-spread perception that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19, likely originated from China (e.g., Shah et al, 2021 ). A national survey with 8500 adults aged 18 and above demonstrated that Asian immigrants and Asian Americans were about twice as likely as Whites to report having COVID-19-related acute discrimination from March 2020 to September 2020 ( Wu et al, 2020 ).…”

Practice-Based Research From the Frontlines: Selected Strategies for Reducing Health Disparities and Accelerating Progress Toward Health Equity in the United States

“…Health equity in the United States became a more critical issue during the COVID-19 pandemic because it magnified historical disadvantages among populations typically at a higher risk of poor health outcomes due to social, cultural, and structural barriers to scientific information, adequate housing, wraparound services (support services for individuals receiving medical or public health services) for those affected, and preventive care. 10,46 The study provides examples of best practices for health departments from their peers’ health equity activities. The results show that accreditation of public health agencies plays a central role in mobilizing state and local health departments to support a culture of health equity.…”

A systematic review on the cultural factors associated with stigma during pandemics

“…Interestingly, Ji and Chen (2022) indicated that the Chinese international students not only felt stigmatized by the majority in the US, but also felt blamed and received less support from the Chinese back in China, as they were told it was their own choice and responsibility for leaving China and studying in the US. Moreover, self-stigma during the pandemic was not limited to Asians per se, as other ethnic minorities also reported higher experiences of discrimination compared to the majority in the USA (e.g., Le et al, 2022, Shah et al, 2021, Strassle et al, 2022, & Tan & Umamaheswar, 2021. For instance, ethnic minorities such as Blacks and South Asians in the USA reported similar narratives where they felt that they were stigmatized by the public and the community around them such as, "I think somehow there's always this narrative that we're the other…We have COVID, and nobody else seems to have it.…”