Racial/Ethnic Differences in COVID-19-Traumatic Symptoms, Sleep, Coping Outcomes in a Group of New-Yorkers

Background Little research has examined within/between group predictors and mediators of race/ethnic differences or disparities in mental and sleep health outcomes arising from the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives This study sought to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 experiences on trauma-related symptoms and sleep quality among a multiracial/ethnic sample in New York. Method This is a cross-sectional study conducted online among multiethnic adults (n=541) who experienced the pandemic in New York from September to November 2020. Comparisons of characteristics and mean scores by race/ethnicity status were conducted using one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Multilinear regression was used for associations between social determinants of health and/or SES, trauma-related symptoms, coping, and sleep. Results Compared to Whites [Mean (SD)= (24.1(7.6)] and other group [Mean (SD)=24.9(8.2), Blacks [Mean (SD)=(26.3(6.4)] and Hispanics [Mean(SD)=(27.2(8.2)] reported higher level of peritraumatic distress [df= 3; F=4273; p=0.005). The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms was 21.4%(n=113): [Whites=31(16.3%); Blacks=28(25.7%); Hispanics=24(25%); and other groups=30(22.4%); x2 =4.93; p=0.177]. This rate doubled [48.3%(257)] when it comes to the overall clinically significant depression level. Compared to all subcategories, [Blacks=52(47.7%); Hispanics =62(64.6%); other group=66(49.3%)], depression symptoms were lower among Whites [77(39.9%; x 2 =15.71; p =0.001]. We found a prevalence of insufficient sleep <6 hours of 41%(198): [Whites=69(39.4%); Blacks=43(41.7%); Hispanics=46(52.3%); other groups=40(34.2%); x 2=12.21; p =0.057]. Several unique demographic predictors of PTSD emerged for distinct racial/ethnic groups. Among Blacks, sex [β = −0.22; p < .01] and employment [β = −0.159; p < .05] emerged as significant predictors for PTSD, but for no other racial/ethnic group. Interestingly, among Hispanics [β = −0.144; p = .064] and Blacks [β = −0.174; p = .0.076], coping strategies did not mitigate PTSD or depressive symptoms. Conclusion As New York and the rest of the world are trying to bounce back from the COVID-19 consequences, mental health outcomes are devastating, particularly among historically marginalized communities. This study provides insight into the emergency for policymakers to invest in racial justice programs and provide free access to culturally responsive mental health care for the most vulnerable groups. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement NIH (T32HL129953,R01MD007716, R01HL142066, R01HL152453) ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The New York University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board approved the study protocol. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors.