The Effect of Racism and Hostility on Asian American’s Identity and Wellbeing during COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Related Factors

Abstract

Discrimination and prejudice against Asians in the United States have existed for centuries, beginning in the 19th century. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continually spreads worldwide, Asian Americans’ identity in the United States has become even more threatened. This study analyses the impact of social discrimination and prejudices on the social level and well-being of Asian Americans. To do so, this paper reviewed a large body of literature focusing on explaining the historical background of Asian Americans, the "model minority myth" stereotype, and the impact of the traditional Eastern mindset. Later, this study combined those mentioned factors with existing sociological models. This study has found that discrimination against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 epidemic threatened Asian Americans’ mental health, well-being, and sense of identity, identifying numerous unfounded accusations of mass illness and the contradictory nature of the "model minority" and "virus carrier" identity labels of Asian Americans in the United States.