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. 2023 Oct;10(5):2093-2103.
doi: 10.1007/s40615-022-01389-1. Epub 2022 Aug 26.

COVID-19-Induced Inequalities and Mental Health: Testing the Moderating Roles of Self-rated Health and Race/Ethnicity

Kaprea F Johnson  1 , Kristina B Hood  2 , Oswaldo Moreno  3 , Lisa Fuentes  3 , Chelsea Derlan Williams  3 , Jasmin Vassileva  3   4   5 , Ananda B Amstadter  3   4   5 , Danielle M Dick  3 ; Spit for Science Working Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

COVID-19-Induced Inequalities and Mental Health: Testing the Moderating Roles of Self-rated Health and Race/Ethnicity

Kaprea F Johnson et al. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

This study examines the relationship among COVID-19-induced social, economic, and educational inequalities on mental health (i.e., anxiety and depression). This study also examines if levels of self-rated health (SRH) moderate the relationship (i.e., COVID-induced inequalities [CII] and mental health), as well as examines the racial/ethnic group differences among 567 young adults in the mid-Atlantic region. Using a moderation model, results indicate that CII were significantly related to depression (b = .221, t(554) = 4.59, p = .000) and anxiety (b = .140, t(555) = 3.23, p = .001). SRH and race/ethnicity also moderated both relationships. At above-average SRH (i.e., moderator), higher CII were also significantly related to lower anxiety (Asian young adults only) and lower depression (Asian and White young adults only). Overall, SRH and race/ethnicity are important factors in the mental health impact of COVID-19 on young adults.

Keywords: Anxiety; COVID-19; Depression; Multivariate analysis; Social determinants of health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The interaction effect of COVID-induced inequalities (CII) and racial-ethnic groups
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The interaction effect of COVID-induced inequalities (CII), self-rated health (SRH), and racial-ethnic groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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