Racism and Stress-Related Growth Among Asian Internationals: Ethnic Identity, Resilience, and Coping During COVID-19

Abstract

Experiences of anti-Asian discrimination following COVID-19 has deleterious effects on the mental health of Asian internationals residing in the United States. In this study, hierarchical regression models and Hayes’ PROCESS models were used to examine the main effect and moderating effect of ethnic identity, coping strategy, and resilience on stress-related growth among Asian international students and workers (N = 237) in the United States who experienced racism during the pandemic. The findings indicated coping strategies and resilience were significantly associated with stress-related growth. Ethnic identity and coping strategies additionally moderated the link between the experience of racism and stress-related growth.