Perceived COVID-19 health threat increases psychological distress among Black Americans

Cobb, Ryon J.; Erving, Christy L.; Byrd, W. Carson

doi:10.1080/01419870.2021.1867216

Cited by 32 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In addition, young adults highlighted their financial anxiety in our study, which is found in other studies and may in part reflect increased unemployment and food security [8,41]. Last, individuals with UMC's are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and mental distress due to structural racism (e.g., racial bias in the healthcare system), and their health conditions increase their fear and anxiety as demonstrated in our findings [13]. Together, these further confirm that targeted approaches, including support from public policy, are necessary to address the mental health stressors within the African American population during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Psychosocial Stressors and Coping Strategies Among African Americans During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Study

Gillyard

Davis

Parham

et al. 2022

J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

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Objectives The disproportionate impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on African Americans along with associated inequities in social determinants of health (SDOH) and racism increase their vulnerability to the psychosocial impact of COVID-19. This qualitative study applied the socio-ecological model (SEM) to explore psychosocial stressors, coping styles, and needs to improve psychosocial health among unique subgroups of African Americans in early pandemic stages. Methods Sixty-two African Americans (16 parents, 15 young adults, 16 essential workers, and 15 individuals with underlying medical conditions) participated in qualitative, semi-structured interviews between May and September 2020. Interview data were analyzed based on the SEM using thematic analysis. Results The majority (84%) reported being stressed with parents having the highest level. Four themes emerged : (1) our COVID-19 pandemic state of mind, (2) top stressors in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, (3) coping strategies during COVID-19, and (4) needs during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce stress. While there were similarities, different stressors were experienced among subgroups, which yielded different coping styles and needs from stakeholders across multi-levels to improve their psychosocial health. Conclusions Findings suggest current and future pandemic response plans need targeted strategies across multiple levels of influence to address the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on African Americans.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Psychosocial Stressors and Coping Strategies Among African Americans During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Study

Gillyard

Davis

Parham

et al. 2022

J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In particular, limited access to health care and having essential occupations that increase exposure have excessively burdened many Black Americans during the pandemic ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020 ). Additionally, the social zeitgeist of racial justice and recognition of racial disparities may increase the anticipation of prejudice and discrimination, leading to psychological and physiological stress responses among minorities ( Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009 ), thus making them more vulnerable to amplified psychological distress ( Cobb et al, 2021 ; Kujawa et al, 2020 ) during this time. For instance, Rudenstine and colleagues (2020) showed that a greater frequency of exposure to COVID-19 stressors was associated with elevated levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms in Black Americans.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiencing and Forecasting COVID-19 Daily Stress on Mental Health Reactivity Across Age and Race

Pearman

Hughes

Coblenz

et al. 2021

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B

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Objectives This study systematically evaluates age and race differences in mental health symptoms as they unfold microlongitudinally during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with a focus on within-person reactivity to forecasting and experiencing COVID-19 stress. Method A daily diary approach was used to examine predictors of daily anxiety and depressive symptoms among 526 adults (White [54%] and Black American [46%]) aged 21–79. A total of 3,605 online diaries were collected for 21 consecutive days between October and November, 2020. In addition to mental health symptoms, participants reported forecasted (next 24 h) stress as well as experienced (past 24 h) stress related to COVID-19. Results Patterns of reactivity to forecasted and experienced COVID-19 stress depended on age and race. White older adults displayed greater reactivity to COVID-19-related stress than White younger adults, but the effects of COVID-19-related stress were consistently detrimental for the daily anxiety of Black Americans, regardless of age. For Black Americans, age was less negatively associated with depressive symptoms than for White Americans. Increases in experienced COVID-19 stress were also more strongly associated with increases in depressive symptoms for Black Americans relative to White participants. Discussion This study moves beyond cross-sectional, descriptive work within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes the dynamic nature of within-person reactivity patterns that differ by age and race. Although White older adults experienced an increase in daily anxiety when forecasting COVID-19 stress, the co-occurring pandemic of systemic racism may be more powerful than age-related vulnerabilities for Black adults.

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“…Perceived racial discrimination in clinical care was significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress among African Americans in a study conducted in the US during the pandemic ( Cobb, Erving et al 2021 ). Whether real or perceived, any inequity in health care appears to have a detrimental effect on mental health.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Discrimination in COVID-19 vaccination programs – A possible risk for mental health

Ansari

Aghaei

Rezaie

et al. 2021

Asian Journal of Psychiatry

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Perceived COVID-19 health threat increases psychological distress among Black Americans

Cited by 32 publications

References 21 publications

Psychosocial Stressors and Coping Strategies Among African Americans During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Study

Psychosocial Stressors and Coping Strategies Among African Americans During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Study

Experiencing and Forecasting COVID-19 Daily Stress on Mental Health Reactivity Across Age and Race

Discrimination in COVID-19 vaccination programs – A possible risk for mental health

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