As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread, it has become clear that the implications of the virus extend beyond physical health, potentially exacerbating xenophobia, hate, and prejudice. The FBI recently warned about an expected increase in anti-Asian hate crimes; there is reason to suspect significant consequences for other racial and religious minorities as well. Yet, information on the extent and nature of bias and hate crime victimization during the COVID-19 pandemic does not currently exist. Accordingly, this research project administered a survey to 4,188 respondents throughout the United States in May 2020. The research team asked survey respondents a number of questions related to bias during the pandemic which measured (a) individual prejudice levels; (b) experiences with racial/ethnic discrimination; (c) experiences with hate crime victimization; (d) fear of victimization and associated behavioral changes; and (e) adverse mental health consequences, including depression.
Contacts
Principal Investigator: Brendan Lantz, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator: Marin R. Wenger, Ph.D.
Graduate Student: Zachary T. Malcom
Project Report
Bias and Hate Crime Victimization During the COVID-19 Pandemic