AUTHOR=Kaniuka Andréa R. , Cramer Robert J. , Wilsey Corrine N. , Langhinrichsen-Rohling Jennifer , Mennicke Annelise , Patton Alexandra , Zarwell Meagan , McLean Carmen P. , Harris Yu-Jay , Sullivan Sharon , Gray Glori TITLE=COVID-19 Exposure, Stress, and Mental Health Outcomes: Results From a Needs Assessment Among Low Income Adults in Central North Carolina JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry VOLUME=12 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.790468 DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.790468 ISSN=1664-0640 ABSTRACT=

This study focuses on identifying COVID-19 related exposure, stress, and mental health concerns in the larger Charlotte, North Carolina region, an area with many low-income and under resourced communities. A community-academic partnership conducted a regional COVID-19 needs assessment. Low-income adults (N = 156) completed an online-administered survey of demographic information, COVID-19 exposure, stress, coping-related factors, and mental health. Frequency data showed that common COVID-19 related stressors included job exposure, lost job/income, and increased home responsibilities. Frequency data further showed elevated screening risk rates for mental health concerns were observed for post-traumatic stress (83.3%), depression (52.2%), problematic drinking (50.0%), generalized anxiety (43.0%), and suicide (40.4%). Bivariate correlation and multivariate regression models identified robust mental health risk factors including COVID-19 related stress affecting close persons, fear/worry reaction to the pandemic, and use of venting as a coping strategy; protective factors included active coping and problem-focused coping beliefs. Findings are discussed with respect to informing regional public health efforts during the pandemic.