Mediating Role of Racial Discrimination on the Relationship between English Proficiency and Health Outcomes among Korean Americans during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examines the mediating role of perceived ethnic discrimination in the relationship between English proficiency and health among Korean Americans in the Deep South of the United States, amidst heightened racial tensions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenience sample of 378 participants revealed that English proficiency is associated with both physical and mental health, partially mediated by perceived discrimination. The findings highlight that English proficiency increases perceived discrimination, which in turn exacerbates adverse health outcomes. This emphasizes the urgent need for culturally sensitive health interventions to address discrimination-related health disparities among Korean American communities in the Deep South and beyond.