Discrimination, Depression, and Somatization: The Impact of Spirituality and COVID-19

The current study aims to fill gaps in the literature examining relationships between psychological symptoms (depressive, somatic), spirituality, ethnic discrimination, and stress related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It is hypothesized that stress caused by COVID-19 is associated with greater perceived discrimination, depressive symptoms, and somatic symptoms. It is also hypothesized that individuals experiencing heightened COVID-19 stress, and perceived discrimination would report increased depressive and somatic symptoms. Greater spiritual well-being is similarly hypothesized to decrease COVID-19 stress, depressive s, and somatic symptoms. Data was collected via self-report measures, including the COVID Stress Scale (CSS; Taylor et al., 2020), the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire (Contrada et al., 2001), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD; Radloff, 1977), the Cohen-Hoberman Inventory of Physical Symptoms (CHIPS; Cohen & Hoberman, 1983), and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS; Paloutzian & Ellison, 1982). The findings of the proposed study will be conceptualized within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased popularization of the Black Lives Matter Movement, and increased incidents of Asian-targeted hate crimes in the United States. If findings support the research hypotheses, this study can be used to inform clinical interventions when working with marginalized populations and reduce the risk of negative mental health outcomes.