Best practice recommendations for psychologists working with marginalized populations impacted by COVID-19.

Abstract

The impacts of this pandemic have not been felt equally. The current pandemic has aggravated preexisting prejudices and shed light on long-standing social, economic, and health inequities that have been and continue to be perpetuated by systems of oppression. Psychologists are in a unique position to collaboratively work with marginalized individuals navigating pandemic threat, discrimination, and oppressive systems. This paper presents best practice recommendations for U.S.-based psychologists working with marginalized populations impacted by COVID-19. Psychologists are encouraged to synchronously develop the following three areas of evidence-based practice, as they relate to the impacts of COVID-19: (a) selfreflection and self-awareness in a COVID-19 context (i.e., reflecting on one's identities and one's knowledge and attitudes toward sociohistorical inequities), (b) knowledge acquisition (i.e., adopting an attitude of cultural humility, identifying "emotional contagion," identifying impacts of systemic injustice that may be compounded by COVID-19, and recognizing racial trauma in clients of color), and (c) collaboration with clients (i.e., identify the mental health toll of oppressive systems, explore COVID-19 relevant and culturally responsive methods of healing, encourage virtual community engagement, and incorporate ethnic and racial identity development in personal and professional work). Engaging with these best practice recommendations should result in the psychologist's improved ability to identify and address the consequences of systemic oppression that have been highlighted and exacerbated by COVID-19 on their own behavior and their clients' mental health. Furthermore, psychologists engaged with these best practice recommendations should find themselves better prepared to utilize culturally responsive interventions despite barriers created by COVID-19. Public Significance StatementThis paper presents best practice recommendations for psychologists working with marginalized clients that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These concrete best practice recommendations emphasize self-reflection, education regarding how the pandemic has further marginalized clients, and evidence-based culturally responsive psychological intervention that are also responsive to the impacts of COVID-19.

BIPOC Experiences of Racial Trauma on TikTok: A Qualitative Content Analysis

“…Given that BIPOC clients often avoid discussing racial and cultural issues during therapy because they feel their White therapists may not understand or relate to their experiences, (Chang & Yoon, 2011 ) these findings may offer additional insight into BIPOC clients’ experiences. Therapists can best serve their BIPOC clients by initiating discussions about race, oppression, marginalization, and racial trauma (Meyer & Young, 2021 ; Ratts, 2015 ). Discussing racial trauma with BIPOC clients can have a positive impact on both the individual and the entire relational system in MFT practice.…”

Living with liminality: Reconceptualising music careers education and research

“…The uncertainty generated by the pandemic has extended beyond a health crisis into a work and learning crisis (see Blustein & Guarino, 2020; Stevano et al, 2021; United Nations, 2020). Key findings of pandemic work-related experiences share some similarities: that it has been experienced physically and psychologically (Meyer & Young, 2021), and also that it has been experienced unequally. Work patterns during the pandemic have been identified as key predictors of hardship.…”

Emotional wellbeing and coping among Latinx young adults in the time of COVID‐19

“…These disparities have significantly increased stress and disrupted the day‐to‐day lives of Latinx young adults (Valdez et al, 2022; Villatoro et al, 2022). Early pandemic‐related consequences, such as the abrupt withdrawal from school, social, and extracurricular activities, have upset important developmental milestones for Latinx young adults, such as progressing through school, living independently, and developing more mature and intimate relationships (Chaabane et al, 2021; Goodwin et al, 2020; Meyer & Young, 2021). This study explores the factors influencing wellness and the coping strategies used among Latinx young adults during the first 6 months of the pandemic.…”

“…The lack of studies on young adults is problematic because this age group has unique factors that may make them more vulnerable to contracting the virus and to heightened stress compared with other age groups. For example, young adults, and in particular those who are Latinx, may have experienced in the first year of the pandemic an abrupt withdrawal from school and social activities and delayed important developmental milestones (e.g., progressing through school, identity development, developing relationships with others; Chaabane et al, 2021; Goodwin et al, 2020; Meyer & Young, 2021). Thus, there is merit in conducting further research to understand the emotional experiences of Latinx young adults during the first year of the pandemic.…”