Marginalization from COVID-19 Anti-Asian Racism and Smoking among Asian American Emerging Adults

Abstract

COVID-19 anti-Asian racism may be a risk factor for tobacco product use among Asian American emerging adults. In particular, unjust blame and ostracization associated with oppressive COVID-19 anti-Asian racism narratives may be associated with tobacco product use through unmet interpersonal needs. Accordingly, we examined whether the link between COVID-19 anti-Asian racism and tobacco product use could be explained by perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness, which have been identified as interpersonal risk factors. With data from 139 participants (Mage = 23.04), we conducted a path analysis of COVID-19 anti-Asian racism predicting tobacco product use via perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. COVID-19 anti-Asian racism was indirectly related to tobacco product use via perceived burdensomeness. However, there was no indirect association through thwarted belongingness. Our findings indicate that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are unique interpersonal risk factors for increased tobacco product use that merit attention within the context of COVID-19 anti-Asian racism. Heightened perceptions of burdensomeness in particular may drive tobacco product use among Asian American emerging adults as a means to fill the social void they experience from COVID-19-related shame and ostracization.