“What's going on?” Racism, COVID‐19, and centering the voices of Black youth

Abstract

This study examined the impact of COVID‐19 stress and experiences of racism on COVID‐19 adaptability and activism among Black youth. The protective role of perceived peer and adult social support were examined. Data were analyzed from 123 Black youth (Mage = 15.44, 63% girls) from a school district in the Midwest. The findings revealed that more social support from adults increased Black youth adaptability (e.g., “ability to think through possible options to assist in the COVID‐19 pandemic”). Perceived lower social support from adults predicted higher engagement in high‐risk activism, and higher levels of peer social support were associated with higher levels of high‐risk activism. Further, Black youth reporting higher levels of racism and adult social support were more likely to report higher levels of COVID‐19 adaptability. Black youth reporting higher racism and peer social support engaged in high‐risk activism. Black youth who reported high levels of racism and low perceived adult social support reported higher engagement in high‐risk activism. Research and practice implications that support Black youth during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the impact of racism and COVID‐19 stress on well‐being and activism are discussed.

The compounded effect of the dual pandemic on ethnic-racial minority adolescents' mental health and psychosocial well-being

“…Helpful support included one-on-one time with parents, receiving lunch and computers to help students adjust to remote learning, and receiving emotional check-ins from religious youth leaders [ 19 ]. Social support and religious/spiritual coping are known adaptive coping mechanisms for the Black American community [ 41 ] and played a crucial role in helping adolescents process racial tensions and the widespread protests of the Black Lives Matter movement across the world [ 19 , 42 ]. However, future research should investigate contextual and cultural factors that protect Black youths from racial tension and discrimination during the COVID-19 era.…”

Racial reckoning, resistance, and the revolution: A call to community psychology to move forward

“…In “What's going on? Racism, COVID‐19, and centering the voices of Black youth,” Butler‐Barnes (2023) investigated COVID‐19 stress, experiences of racism on COVID‐19 adaptability, and activism among 123 Black youth in the Midwest. This study also examined perceived peer and adult social support as protective for Black youth.…”

“…Butler‐Barnes posed important questions about scholars from different racial backgrounds conducting research on Black youth, especially comprehending historical trauma, and using traditional white epistemologies and ideologies. Butler‐Barnes (2023) contends that community psychology along with allied fields, such as social work and public health, should center the voices of Black youth in research so interventions and policies accurately reflect their lived experiences.…”