Perceived workplace and private life discrimination during legally mandated COVID-19 quarantine: Evidence from a large municipal cohort in Cologne, Germany

Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine measures were widely implemented and may have contributed to perceived discrimination. However, empirical evidence on its prevalence and associated factors remains limited. This study aimed to assess perceived discrimination in workplace and private contexts during quarantine and to identify associated factors. Methods: Data from 3,853 participants of the CoCo-Fact cohort study (Cologne Corona counselling and support for index and contact persons during the quarantine period) in Cologne, Germany were analysed. Perceived discrimination was assessed using a single-item measure (yes/partly/no), complemented by qualitative free-text responses. Logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors. Results: Perceived discrimination was reported by 5.3% of participants in the workplace and by 6.9% in private life. Workplace discrimination was primarily organisational or economic, while private-life discrimination was predominantly psychosocial. Associated factors included migrant background, higher psychological distress, and lower coping skills. Additional factors associated with private-life discrimination included younger age, higher socioeconomic status, and unemployment. The model explained 8.3% and 14.2% of the variance, respectively. Conclusion: Although overall prevalence was low, vulnerable groups were disproportionately affected. Findings highlight the need for targeted psychosocial and structural support measures in future public health crises.