Anti-Asian hate incidents and mental health outcomes among Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.: An extensive scoping review

Abstract The surge in anti-Asian hate incidents (AAHIs) in USA during the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health of Asian Americans. This study aims to assess the research landscape by reviewing publication details, study characteristics, hate incident types, mental health impacts, and connections between hate incidents and mental health outcomes. The scoping review follows the six-stage framework outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute’s guidelines. Literature is searched through five electronic databases and selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. A data extraction template is prepared in Covidence, and investigators review the selected literature. A review of twenty-one peer-reviewed articles reveals that the primary disciplines among authors included psychology and social work. AAHIs include discrimination, bias, microaggressions, and stereotyping. The mental health impacts from the incidents include anxiety, stress, and depression. Significant direct and indirect associations between AAHIs and mental health are identified in quantitative studies, and qualitative studies echo these trends. This study can inform social work practice and policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the safety and protection of Asian American communities from hate crimes. These recommendations encompass legislative reforms and improvements in law enforcement practices to effectively respond to and mitigate hate crimes.