Black American Fathers Employed in Higher-Risk Contexts for Contracting COVID-19: Implications for Individual Wellbeing and Work-Family Spillover

Abstract

Black Americans remain disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging data suggests that employment in certain occupations (e.g., essential; frontline) may place individuals at higher-risk for contracting COVID-19. The current investigation examined how Black American fathers’ COVID-19 perceived work risk was associated with their individual well-being (COVID-19 diagnosis; depressive and anxiety symptoms; sleep disturbance; sleep quality) as well as spillover into family contexts. Participants were 466 Black American fathers ( M = 36.63; SD = 11.00) who completed online surveys in June–July 2020. Adjusted binomial logistic and multiple regressions were estimated to examine how fathers’ work context was associated with COVID-19 health outcomes, psychological functioning, sleep health, and family stress. Descriptive analyses revealed that 32% of fathers reported a personal diagnosis of COVID-19 and 21% indicated that an immediate family member had been diagnosed. Adjusted binomial logistic regression analyses revealed that fathers working in higher-risk contexts for contracting COVID-19 had a greater odds ratio for both a personal (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.68) and an immediate family member diagnosis (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.52, 4.36). Working in a higher-risk context for contracting COVID-19 was associated with poorer psychological functioning, greater sleep disturbance, and higher levels of family discord. Findings suggest that Black fathers working in higher risk contexts may be at risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection. Further, this study indicates that these effects extend to their own well-being, including mental and sleep health as well as increased family stress.

COVID-19 testing in Delaware’s underserved communities: demographic and social determinants of testing inequality

“…Given ongoing risks associated with being an essential worker, working with the public and in high-risk environments may be of greater risk to people of color and other marginalized groups [ 24 ]. This highlights the need to focus on current inequities and steer healthcare toward a focus that supports optimal individual health outcomes [ 8 ]. Early identification of risk factors and improving workplace infection control practices related to COVID can provide better health outcomes for those at risk [ 24 ].…”

“…Studies have suggested that being Black or Hispanic is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection and greater disease severity, and these effects may be attributed to socioeconomic factors [ 7 ]. For example, Black and Hispanic individuals are more likely to be essential workers and have lower access to healthcare [ 8 ]. Because of the rapid transmission rate of COVID-19, those who work in high-risk settings such as assembly line and food processing plants, or in public or customer service are at far greater risk have accounted for more than 50% of positive case in some areas of the United States [ 8 ].…”

“…For example, Black and Hispanic individuals are more likely to be essential workers and have lower access to healthcare [ 8 ]. Because of the rapid transmission rate of COVID-19, those who work in high-risk settings such as assembly line and food processing plants, or in public or customer service are at far greater risk have accounted for more than 50% of positive case in some areas of the United States [ 8 ]. Statistical data also indicates that 1 in 555 Black Americans have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.…”

“…Statistical data also indicates that 1 in 555 Black Americans have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. While Black Americans are at increased risk for exposure and infection, men across all racial and ethnic backgrounds are more likely to succumb to COVID and COVID-related deaths, when compared to females [ 8 – 11 ].…”

Pandemia jako czynnik zmiany społecznej. Rodzina a rynek pracy

“…Codzienne nawyki, nawet tak nielubiane jak chodzenie do szkoły, dają poczucie bezpieczeństwa, które zostało zachwiane. Dzieci, dla których podstawową relacją społeczną jest ta między nimi a rodzicami nierzadko skonfrontowane zostały z przemęczonymi, zestresowanymi rodzicami, którzy albo tracili pracę, albo usiłowali pracować zdalnie, albo pracowali stacjonarnie przy coraz wyższym ryzyku zarażenia (Cooper, Thomas and Bamishigbin, 2021;Latif and Karaman, 2021). Nastolatki, dla których podstawowymi relacjami są te rówieśnicze, zostały odcięte od zwyczajnych kontaktów, ograniczone do komunikacji online.…”