2 - (SYM 45) The Impact of Anti-asian Racism on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Study

Systemic and interpersonal racism against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) is well-documented and has been linked to a multitude of negative well-being outcomes. Sociopolitical climate related to the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to escalating anti-Asian rhetoric and a wave of increased overt anti-Asian racism. The present study aimed to understand the impact of anti-Asian hate and racism on AANHPIs through a mixed methods approach, informed by the Radical Healing Framework. AANHPI adults (n = 459) provided open-ended responses on how their lives have been impacted by anti-Asian racism since the COVID-19 pandemic and completed survey measures assessing constructs related to radical healing and racial trauma. We employed a mixed methods triangulation design with data transformation. Themes were first identified from qualitative responses using reflexive thematic analysis and then “quantitized.” We then conducted a series of logistic and linear regression models to examine sociodemographic factors and survey measures related to radical healing and racial trauma, associated with each theme. We identified seven themes: Personal experiences of racism; Vicarious experiences of racism; No difference or impact; Emotional, behavioral, and cognitive racial trauma reactions; Protected due to ethnicity; Protected due to environment/circumstance; and Individual and collective radical hope and healing. Older age was associated with lower odds of Personal experiences of racism (OR = 0.96, SE = 0.02, p = .03), but higher odds of Emotional, behavioral, and racial trauma reactions (OR = 1.03, SE = 0.01, p = .04). Compared to cisgender men, gender-expansive individuals had higher odds of Individual and collective radical hope and healing (OR = 5.50, SE = 0.80, p = .03). Personal experiences of racism were related to critical action (β = 0.10, SE = 0.13, p = .03) and racial trauma symptoms (β = 0.15, SE = 6.77, p = .004), while Vicarious experiences of racism were related to critical motivation (β = 0.10, SE = 0.09, p = .04). Findings suggest that the impact of anti-Asian racism on AANHPIs during the COVID-19 pandemic was varied, nuanced, complex. To the extent that racial trauma was experienced on a collective level, individuals may have also been pulled towards collective and community-level healing through sociopolitical, cultural, and community engagement. There is a need to translate community-led knowledge into community-based programs and interventions across systems to support communities in healing from racial trauma.