The psychosocial health of Black/African Americans compared with people of other ethnic origins during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study compared the psychosocial health between Black/African Americans and other ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using self-report questionnaires, data were collected at three time points from April 2020 to January 2022, controlling for education and employment status. Surprisingly, Black/African American participants consistently reported lower psychological distress compared to their counterparts. However, they initially reported lower quality of life, which improved over time, eventually surpassing that of the other groups by January 2022. These findings suggest resilience among Black/African Americans despite historical marginalization. Socioeconomic factors and historical context may have influenced these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support marginalized communities during crises.