Journal article
Racial Differences in the Psychosocial Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Veterans With Psychosis or Recent Homelessness
American journal of orthopsychiatry, Vol.92(5), pp.590-598
06/23/2022
DOI: 10.1037/ort0000633
PMCID: PMC9958263
PMID: 35737567
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact people of color and individuals experiencing psychosis and homelessness. However, it is unclear whether there are differences by race in psychosocial responses to the pandemic in vulnerable populations. The double jeopardy hypothesis posits that multiply marginalized individuals would experience worse psychosocial outcomes. The present study investigated the clinical and functional initial responses to the pandemic in both Black (n = 103) and White veterans (n = 98) with psychosis (PSY), recent homelessness (RHV), and in a control group (CTL) enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare services. Clinical interviews were administered via phone at two time points: baseline (mid-May through mid-August 2020) and follow-up (mid-August through September 2020). The baseline interview also included retrospective measures of pre-COVID status from January 2020. There were no significant differences between Black and White veterans in depression, anxiety, or loneliness. However, Black veterans did endorse more fears of contamination, F(1, 196.29) = 9.48, p = .002. Across all groups, Black veterans had better family integration compared to White veterans, F(1, 199.98) = 7.62, p = .006. There were no significant differences by race in social integration, work/role productivity, or independent living. In sum, there were few significant differences between Black and White veterans in initial psychosocial response to the pandemic. The lack of racial disparities might reflect the presence of VA's wrap-around services. The findings also highlight the robust nature of social support in Black veterans, even in the context of a global pandemic.
Public Policy Relevance Statement There were very few differences between Black and White veterans in mental health and functional outcomes during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be due in part to the Veterans Affairs' (VA's) wrap-around healthcare and social services. Rehabilitative interventions should use the familial connections of vulnerable veterans to improve mental health and other psychosocial outcomes.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Racial Differences in the Psychosocial Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Veterans With Psychosis or Recent Homelessness
- Creators
- Derek M NovacekJonathan K WynnAmanda McCleeryEric A ReavisDamla SenturkCatherine A SugarJack TsaiMichael F Green
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of orthopsychiatry, Vol.92(5), pp.590-598
- DOI
- 10.1037/ort0000633
- PMID
- 35737567
- PMCID
- PMC9958263
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Orthopsychiatry
- ISSN
- 0002-9432
- eISSN
- 1939-0025
- Publisher
- Educational Publishing Foundation-American Psychological Assoc
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- VA National Center on Homelessness among Veterans D1875-F / Research Enhancement Award Program from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); US Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations, Advanced Fellowship in Mental Illness Research and Treatment, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/23/2022
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984269160102771
Metrics
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