Economic and social consequences of COVID-19 and mental health burden among Latinx young adults during the 2020 pandemic.

Abstract

Latinx young adults 18-25 years old face unique challenges that disproportionately put them at high risk of experiencing health as well as economic and social burden due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study examined how economic and psychosocial consequences as a result of the pandemic were associated with mental health issues among a community sample of Latinx young adults (N = 83) from Central Texas. Participants completed an online survey of COVID-related experiences and mental health needs. The survey asked about personal and family experiences of COVID-19 in two significant areas: (a) economic strain (e.g., economic hardship, food insecurity) and (b) psychosocial burden (e.g., losing relationships, substance use). Regression analyses examined the association of COVID-19 consequences on level of mental health symptoms and clinically significant outcomes. Relative to economic consequences, psychosocial consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with higher levels of mental health symptoms. In contrast, in few cases, economic strain resultant from the pandemic was correlated with clinically significant outcomes among this sample. Collectively, findings suggest that the costs of the pandemic do not only pertain to mortality from illness but also to morbidity as it relates to deteriorating social circumstances and mental health. Findings from this study call for immediate attention to implement policies and programs to help mitigate the economic and social-emotional consequences of COVID-19 such as easy access to low-cost virtual mental health resources to Latinx young adults.

Health-related quality of life and social determinants of health following COVID-19 infection in a predominantly Latino population

“…job loss, inability to afford rent) due to COVID-19 was associated with increased anxiety symptoms, while psychosocial consequences (e.g. loss of important relationships, substance use) were associated with both increased anxiety and depressive symptoms among a sample of young adults [38] . Our findings differ from that study in that financial concerns were associated with both increased anxiety and depression.…”

“…Financial concerns may be more prominent for COVID-19 survivors as many have to take significant amounts of time off work while they recover from the illness [39] . While previous research has demonstrated associations between SDoH, such as COVID-19-related financial concerns, with negative mental health outcomes [38 , 40 , 41] ; no studies have examined their impact on physical health PROMIS domains, such as physical function, pain interference, and fatigue.…”

The intersection of immigration policy impacts and COVID‐19 for Latinx young adults

“…Latinx young adults in the United States (U.S.) may have faced some of the greatest challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic (Villatoro et al, 2022). Latinx young adults often work in employment that is considered “frontline” or “essential,” thereby placing them at higher risk of illness exposure than non‐Latinx, White young adults (Boehmer et al, 2020; Rodriguez‐Diaz et al, 2020).…”

Conocimientos, comportamientos y variables psicológicas preventivas del COVID-19 en una muestra colombiana

“…A la fecha ha provocado gran cantidad de personas contagiadas con COVID-19, con una tasa de mortalidad importante enfocada en personas con diagnósticos previos de hipertensión, diabetes mellitus, enfermedades cardiorrespiratorias, tabaquismo, obesidad mórbida, disfunción renal y tiroidea (1). Además de ello, ha generado un caos en los sistemas de salud del mundo, particularmente en los que menos inversión reciben, y ha planteado serios desafíos a nivel social y económico en los Estados afectados que, en conjunto, repercuten en la salud mental de las personas (2).…”