Racial/Ethnic Differences in COVID-19-Traumatic Symptoms, Sleep, Coping Outcomes in a Group of New-Yorkers

BackgroundLittle research has examined within/between group predictors and mediators of race/ethnic differences or disparities in mental and sleep health outcomes arising from the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 experiences on trauma-related symptoms and sleep quality among a multiracial/ethnic sample in New York. MethodThis is a cross-sectional study conducted online among multiethnic adults (n=541) who experienced the pandemic in New York from September to November 2020. Comparisons of characteristics and mean scores by race/ethnicity status were conducted using one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Multilinear regression was used for associations between social determinants of health and/or SES, trauma-related symptoms, coping, and sleep. ResultsCompared to Whites [Mean (SD)= (24.1(7.6)] and other group [Mean (SD)=24.9(8.2), Blacks [Mean (SD)=(26.3(6.4)] and Hispanics [Mean(SD)=(27.2(8.2)] reported higher level of peritraumatic distress [df= 3; F=4273; p=0.005). The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms was 21.4%(n=113): [Whites=31(16.3%); Blacks=28(25.7%); Hispanics=24(25%); and other groups=30(22.4%); x2 =4.93; p=0.177]. This rate doubled [48.3%(257)] when it comes to the overall clinically significant depression level. Compared to all subcategories, [Blacks=52(47.7%); Hispanics =62(64.6%); other group=66(49.3%)], depression symptoms were lower among Whites [77(39.9%; x2 =15.71; p=0.001]. We found a prevalence of insufficient sleep <6 hours of 41%(198): [Whites=69(39.4%); Blacks=43(41.7%); Hispanics=46(52.3%); other groups=40(34.2%); x2=12.21; p=0.057]. Several unique demographic predictors of PTSD emerged for distinct racial/ethnic groups. Among Blacks, sex [{beta} = -0.22; p < .01] and employment [{beta} = -0.159; p < .05] emerged as significant predictors for PTSD, but for no other racial/ethnic group. Interestingly, among Hispanics [{beta} = -0.144; p = .064] and Blacks [{beta} = -0.174; p = .0.076], coping strategies did not mitigate PTSD or depressive symptoms. ConclusionAs New York and the rest of the world are trying to bounce back from the COVID-19 consequences, mental health outcomes are devastating, particularly among historically marginalized communities. This study provides insight into the emergency for policymakers to invest in racial justice programs and provide free access to culturally responsive mental health care for the most vulnerable groups.