Latinx Undergraduates’ Navigation in the Context of COVID-19 and Racial Injustice

Abstract

Six self-identified, first generation, Latinx, undergraduates from west coast public institutions were recruited via social media to participate in individual, semi-structured, qualitative interviews about their experiences with COVID-19 and racial injustice during the summer and fall of 2020. Interviews explored challenges and meaning-making around what had been happening in their lives and how they experienced and made sense of those events. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA; Smith et al., 2009) was used to identify emergent themes that fell into two main categories: a) Adversities and b) Ways of Overcoming. Several subthemes also emerged in each category and will be discussed. Emergent themes indicated various ways of facing the adversities, including reliance on family and friends and highlighting the need for further resources for these students during this time. Limitations and future directions, as well as implications for counseling psychology researchers, educators, and practitioners are discussed.

Understanding the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Latinx emerging adults

“…The findings of the study provide insight into the social, political, economic, and environmental stresses faced by the Latinx community, as well as how disparities and injustices have been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study’s results are consistent with a recent qualitative study found that Latinx college students reported were worried about the future due to encountering social injustices during the pandemic ( Morgan and Zetzer, 2022 ). In our study, several participants reported experiencing barriers to accessing resources for themselves and their families, including the inability to obtain COVID-19 testing and health care, which led to additional burden and distress.…”

“…Hence, if some of the stressors affecting Latinx families during the pandemic are reduced (i.e., limited caregiving, barriers to health care, and increased targeted public health information in Spanish), then it is likely that the mental health of Latinx will also be improved ( Garcini et al, 2021 ). Based on the accounts of participants with regards to their exposure to social injustices, it is important for mental health providers to address the psychological impact that social injustices have had on them during the pandemic and to promote sources of strength and meaning ( Morgan and Zetzer, 2022 ).…”

A content analysis of counseling psychology literature: Resilience against oppression among people of color.

“…However, these individuals still find a way to make it through their day and become successful according to their own standards despite their toxic environment. Examples from the analyzed articles that conceptualized resilience in this manner include Parmenter et al (2021) and Morgan and Zetzer (2022). In their study on LGTBQ+ people of color, Parmenter et al (2021) identified resilience as “the ability to endure adverse impacts of stress and thrive in the face of adversity” (p. 630).…”

“…In their study on LGTBQ+ people of color, Parmenter et al (2021) identified resilience as “the ability to endure adverse impacts of stress and thrive in the face of adversity” (p. 630). In studying Latinx student experiences, Morgan and Zetzer (2022) cited Masten et al (2009) and defined resilience as, “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to challenging life experiences” (p. 417). Both empirical articles used qualitative research designs to examine resilience among these populations and relied on interviews to collect data.…”

“…Forces of oppression that target racial and ethnic minorities specifically contribute to experiences of race-based stress and result in deleterious effects. These effects include heightened psychological distress, such as decreased life satisfaction due to feelings of loneliness or isolation (Liu et al, 2016), heightened feelings of anxiety, depression (D. L. Lee & Ahn, 2012), and exacerbated fear, worry, and disillusionment (Moreno et al, 2021;Morgan & Zetzer, 2022). As these effects are very clearly felt on an individual level, racial oppression extends even further as it exerts itself systematically and leads to inequities in housing, education, health care, and employment (Banaji et al, 2021;D.…”