The comparison between people who identify themselves as Chinese, Dutch and people of another ethnic group in the Netherlands: Are there differences in the extent to which they experience COVID-19-associated discrimination and what are its mental health effects?

Abstract

Introduction: There are signals that people with a Chinese appearance in the Netherlands experience discrimination due to the coronavirus, as the COVID-19 outbreak started in China. The aims of this study were threefold, by examining whether; 1) people who identify themselves as Chinese experience more COVID-19-associated discrimination and have poorer mental health compared with Dutch or people of another ethnic group; 2) COVID-19-associated discrimination mediates the relation between ethnic groups (Chinese, Dutch and other ethnic groups) and mental health; 3) ‘importance to ethnic identity’ is a moderator in the relation between COVID-19-associated discrimination and mental health. Methods: Participants consisted of a convenience sample of residents aged ≥ 18 across the Netherlands (n = 290), by filling in a questionnaire. Regression analyses were conducted to analyze differences in COVID-19-associated discrimination and mental health between ethnic groups. Mediation analyses, using PROCESS, were performed to analyze COVID-19-associated discrimination in the relation between ethnic groups and mental health. Moderator analyses, using PROCESS, were conducted to analyze ‘importance to ethnic identity’ in the relation between COVID-19-associated discrimination and mental health. Results: Participants who identified themselves as Chinese or another ethnic group experienced more COVID-19-associated discrimination compared with Dutch. Also, participants who identified themselves as Chinese or another ethnic group had poorer mental health compared with Dutch, partly mediated by COVID-19-associated discrimination. ‘Importance to ethnic identity’ did not significantly moderate the relation between COVID-19-associated discrimination and mental health. Conclusion: Chinese and ethnic groups experience more COVID-19-associated discrimination and have poorer mental health compared with Dutch. Campaigns should raise awareness about COVID-19-associated discrimination against ethnic groups in the Netherlands and attention should be paid on the organizations Asian Raisins and Discriminatie.nl, where discrimination can be reported and that combats discrimination in society.