Citation
Goode, Rachel W.; Godoy, Sarah; Chapman, Mimi V.; Day, Steven; & Jensen, Todd M. (2023). The Impact of Life Stressors Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic on Essential Workers of Color. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 14(1), 5-28.Abstract
Objective: Although essential workers of color in the United States have been notably at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, less is known about the impacts of associated life stressors within this population. Thus, the purpose of this study is to understand (a) the impact of life stressors among a sample of essential workers of color during the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) associations between life stressors and sociodemographic characteristics, work, mental health, substance use, and eating behaviors.Method: Essential workers of color (N=319) completed the Holms-Rahe Life Stress Inventory to examine whether any set of 43 life stress experiences occurred because of COVID-19. We used latent class analysis to examine patterns of clustering.
Results: We identified three latent classes: (a) minimally impacted, (b) moderately impacted, and (c) widely impacted. Most of our sample reported being minimally impacted (53%) or moderately impacted (35%) by life events during the pandemic. However, participants clustered within the widely impacted pattern (11%) reported significantly more concerns with substance use, binge eating, and perceived stress.
Conclusions: Findings highlight distinct patterns of life-stress impacts caused by COVID-19 among essential workers of color. Social workers must consider how to implement policies to reduce the systematic challenges faced by those who are most marginalized.
URL
https://doi.org/10.1086/723608Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2023Journal Title
Journal of the Society for Social Work and ResearchAuthor(s)
Goode, Rachel W.Godoy, Sarah
Chapman, Mimi V.
Day, Steven
Jensen, Todd M.