Experience of Ethnic Discrimination, Anxiety, Perceived Risk of COVID-19, and Social Support among Polish and International Students during the Pandemic

Anna Bokszczanin (), Olga Gladysh, Anna Bronowicka and Marek Palace
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Anna Bokszczanin: Institute of Psychology, University of Opole, 45-052 Opole, Poland
Olga Gladysh: Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 03-378 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Bronowicka: Institute of Psychology, University of Opole, 45-052 Opole, Poland
Marek Palace: School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3-5UG, UK

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Background: Our research aimed to assess the experiences of ethnic discrimination among students in Poland (Polish and international) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also tested the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and their relationship with perceived COVID-19 risk, the severity of discrimination, and social support. Methods: The data from Polish ( n = 481) and international university students ( n = 105) were collected online (November–January 2020). Participants completed measures of ethnic discrimination (GEDS), anxiety scale (GAD-7), COVID-19 risk perception index, and perceived social support scale (MSPSS) questionnaires. Results: The results showed that international students reported being much more discriminated than Polish students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to our expectation, a higher risk of anxiety disorders (GAD) was observed in 42% of Polish students compared to 31% of international students. The predictors of higher anxiety symptoms among both groups were the perceived risk of COVID-19 and the greater severity of ethnic discrimination. In both groups, the perceived social support had a protective role in anxiety symptomatology. Conclusions: The high prevalence of discrimination, especially among international students, simultaneously with high symptoms of anxiety, requires vigorous action involving preventive measures and psychological support.

Keywords: ethnic discrimination; anxiety; international students; COVID-19 pandemic; social support; university students; Poland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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