ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine challenges Black adolescents may experience because of COVID-19 and coping strategies employed to navigate their reported difficulties. The current study used secondary data analysis to understand how Black U.S. adolescents' positive images of God contributed to their emotional well-being in response to stressors associated with COVID-19. Data from a larger study were extracted from 11 Black adolescents' (Ages 12-17;54.5% female) individual interview transcripts;and the research team used an interpretative phenomenology process to analyze the data. Participants' experiences of God as a (a) Teacher, (b) Powerful Being, and (c) Comforter served as robust contributors to their feelings of strength, hope, assurance, calmness, contentment, and motivation, despite the challenges they encountered. This study presents a culturally responsive approach to understanding and potentially responding to Black adolescents' mental health needs during the COVID-era. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic swept the nation by surprise, leaving a deep-seated impact on individuals' social, mental, and physical health. Despite there being disparities between Black and White/non-Hispanic individuals, minimal research has been conducted to explore the effects of the virus on marginalized groups. This study aimed to investigate Black adolescents' perceptions of their experiences with COVID-19, including the challenges they encountered, the coping strategies they employed, and their use of religious/spiritual and school-based support. Twelve Black youth between the ages of 12 and 18 years were interviewed during the early stages of the pandemic (June and July of 2020). Participants struggled with adjusting to the changes in their daily routines, navigating virtual learning, and emerging mental health difficulties (e.g., anxiety). To cope with these challenges, participants relied on emotion and problem-focused coping strategies, including strategies that were religious/spiritual in nature. Participants also relied on social support from family, school personnel, and their religious community, though they lamented about the varied support received from the latter two. Findings from this research support calls for mental health providers to employ culturally affirming mental health services and engage in interagency collaboration to support Black youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).