The Impact of COVID-19 Among Black Girls: A Social-Ecological Perspective

Abstract

Objective To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black adolescent girls’ physical, psychological, and sexual development. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 girls (9–18 years old) primarily across the Midwestern United States. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. We conducted a conventional content analysis by reviewing transcripts, coding data, and developing themes. Results Utilizing the social-ecological model findings revealed themes related to the individual-, interpersonal-, institutional-, and community-level changes that Black girls experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Black adolescent girls need opportunities to discuss the changes, receive relevant resources, and have spaces to support their physical, psychological, and sexual development. Systems such as families, schools, and clinics should implement programming to facilitate discussions around the impact of COVID-19 on Black girls.

Cultivating Homeplace for Black Girls Through Tier 2 Group Counseling Experiences

“…The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the issues Black girls experience in K-12 schools. For example, Black girls and their families were already vulnerable in the health care system due to anti-Black racism, and the addition of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that if exposed, they would be subjected to the cruelty of anti-Blackness that would render their symptoms and pain as an acceptable casualty (Crooks et al, 2022). In fact, the disproportionate death toll related to COVID-19 in the Black community has meant that Black girls and their families have experienced significant changes in family functioning marked with sustained grief.…”

“…In fact, the disproportionate death toll related to COVID-19 in the Black community has meant that Black girls and their families have experienced significant changes in family functioning marked with sustained grief. Essentially, Black girls have had to learn a new way of being and knowing to stay alive while also experiencing immense grief as their family structures changed rapidly due to death and dying (Crooks et al, 2022).…”

“…Also due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in isolation from virtual learning and quarantining meant that some Black girls have had to process this grief, among other aspects of adolescence (e.g., puberty, sex education) alone, rather than in a social environment like school (Crooks et al, 2022). This may be particularly challenging because Black girls, like other students, can benefit greatly from safe spaces to understand more about who they are and who they are becoming.…”

The compounded effect of the dual pandemic on ethnic-racial minority adolescents' mental health and psychosocial well-being

“…Adolescents who perceived higher levels of racism and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially Asian, Black, and multiracial youths, reported poorer mental health outcomes and more difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions [ 22 ]. Anti-Asian sentiments surrounding the origins of the virus and the highly publicized recordings of police brutality against Black individuals heightened youths’ anxiety, promoted feelings of othering, and fostered a reduced sense of belonging in these communities [ 19 , 23∗ , 24∗∗ , 25∗ , 26∗ ]. Ethnic-racial minority youths reported anger, frustration, and hopelessness because they lacked resources to enact change against the cyclical nature of racial violence [ 27 ].…”

“…A qualitative study by Crooks et al. [ 24 ] found that Black youths reported increased media coverage surrounding these injustices, which caused racial tension, anxiety, and distress. Experiencing online racial discrimination affected Black youths’ mental health [ 31 ].…”