Beyond Stress Buffering: An Interactional Stigma Amplification Pattern Linking COVID-19 Discrimination Experiences and Mental Health Among COVID-19 Survivors

Social interaction is generally regarded as a protective resource for mental health; however, its role may be more complex in contexts characterized by stigma and discrimination. This study examined the association between COVID-19-related discrimination experiences and mental health among people with a history of COVID-19 infection, focusing on the moderating role of social interaction continuity. Using survey data from 1248 respondents with a history of COVID-19 infection, we measured COVID-19-related discrimination experiences based on seven types of discrimination or social exclusion, social interaction continuity using three items assessing changes in social interaction, and mental health using a nine-item scale. Ordinary least squares regression models were used to examine these associations and the interaction between discrimination experiences and social interaction continuity, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and social support. The results showed that greater exposure to COVID-19-related discrimination was associated with poorer mental health. Social interaction continuity was positively associated with mental health, consistent with traditional stress-buffering perspectives. Moreover, the interaction between discrimination experiences and social interaction continuity was negative and marginally significant (β = −0.0767, p < 0.1). Conditional-effect analyses suggested that the negative association between discrimination experiences and mental health was stronger at higher levels of social interaction continuity. These findings provide preliminary evidence of an interactional pattern consistent with stigma amplification, suggesting that social interaction may serve both as a source of psychosocial support and as a context for stigma-related social evaluation and stress.