Racialized exposure to multiple COVID-19 deaths and their consequences for mental health

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented bereavement globally.
• Existing research highlights the negative impact of single COVID-19 deaths on well-being.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the effects of multiple COVID-19 losses on mental health and racial-ethnic disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between multiple COVID-19 losses and psychological distress.
• To investigate ethnoracial differences in cumulative COVID-19 bereavement exposure.
• To determine if the link between multiple COVID-19 losses and distress varies by race-ethnicity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national survey data (n=1810) collected post-Omicron surge in the U.S.
• Estimation of regression models to assess associations between bereavement and distress.
• Examination of racial-ethnic differences in loss exposure and vulnerability.

Main Results:

• Each additional COVID-19 death correlated with increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, and anger.
• Black and Latine respondents reported higher numbers of COVID-19 losses than White and Asian respondents.
• The association between COVID-19 bereavement and distress was significantly stronger for Latine respondents compared to Black and White respondents.

Conclusions:

• Multiple COVID-19 losses significantly elevate psychological distress.
• Racial-ethnic disparities exist in both COVID-19 bereavement exposure and vulnerability.
• Findings underscore the racialized nature of pandemic loss and its mental health consequences.