Asian Adolescent Experiences of Health-Related Stigma During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, which took place between March 2020 and May 2023, has significantly impacted people’s lives. Individuals with COVID-19, like other infectious diseases, are at risk for stigmatization related to their health status. As a group, Asian Canadians faced increased racism and discrimination during the pandemic in relation to prejudicial attitudes on spread and contagion of the disease.

Methods: This study used Interpretive Descriptive methodology to explore the experiences of Asian Canadian adolescents who have had COVID-19 through one-on-one interviews virtually and in person. Prior to the interview, participants filled out informed consent forms and demographic forms to obtain background information. The interviews were conducted between February 2023 and August 2023. Afterwards, the data was analyzed into codes and themes.

Results: The sample consisted of eleven Asian Canadian adolescents between the ages of 16 and 19-years old living in Ontario. Seven participants identified as female, three identified as male and one participant identified as non-binary. The participants reported facing stigmatization related to their positive COVID-19 status, their Asian identity, and their age. The findings were organized using the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (HSDF), which conceptualizes health-related stigma into drivers and facilitators, intersecting stigmas, manifestations, and outcomes. Drivers and facilitators included attitudes about people with COVID-19, Anti-Asian racism, the media and social media and time of infection. The intersecting stigmas were ageism and racism. Manifestations included negative reactions from others, anti-Asian experiences, and internalized stigma. Lastly, outcomes included the mental health consequences of racism and worsened academic performance. Challenges while isolating included difficulties keeping up with schoolwork and isolation. Positive mediators included peer and familial support and being able to access information about COVID-19

Conclusions: Asian Canadian adolescents faced complex experiences and challenges during the pandemic related to their intersecting identities including stigmatization due to their COVID-19 status, as well as racism due to their Asian background and ageism from older individuals. Understanding these experiences can better inform the services provided to this population and decrease the risks and effects of stigmatization.