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The COVID-19 pandemic's intersectional impact on work life, home life and wellbeing: an exploratory mixed-methods analysis of Georgia women's experiences during the pandemic.
McCool-Myers, Megan; Grasso, Damion; Kozlowski, Debra; Cordes, Sarah; Jean, Valerie; Gold, Heather; Goedken, Peggy.
  • McCool-Myers M; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 46 Armstrong St SE, 30303, Atlanta, GA, USA. Megan.myers@emory.edu.
  • Grasso D; Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health, Connecticut, USA.
  • Kozlowski D; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 46 Armstrong St SE, 30303, Atlanta, GA, USA.
  • Cordes S; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 46 Armstrong St SE, 30303, Atlanta, GA, USA.
  • Jean V; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 46 Armstrong St SE, 30303, Atlanta, GA, USA.
  • Gold H; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 46 Armstrong St SE, 30303, Atlanta, GA, USA.
  • Goedken P; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 46 Armstrong St SE, 30303, Atlanta, GA, USA.
BMC Public Health ; 22(1): 1988, 2022 10 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2098327
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Women have been especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This exploratory study aimed to characterize women's adverse experiences related to their work, home lives, and wellbeing during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and to describe demographic differences of those lived experiences.

METHODS:

Using the validated Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory, we collected data from reproductive-aged women in the state of Georgia about their exposure to adverse events during the pandemic. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to identify subgroups of women reporting similar adverse experiences and describe their sociodemographic characteristics. An optional open-ended question yielded qualitative data that were analyzed thematically and merged with subgroup findings. Data were collected from September 2020 to January 2021.

RESULTS:

423 individuals aged 18-49 completed the survey with 314 (74.2%) providing qualitative responses. The LCA yielded 4 subgroups (1) a "low exposure" subgroup (n = 123, 29.1%) with relatively low probability of adverse experiences across domains (e.g. financial insecurity, health challenges, barriers to access to healthcare, intimate partner violence (IPV)); (2) a "high exposure" subgroup (n = 46, 10.9%) with high probability of experiencing multiple adversities across domains including the loss of loved ones to COVID-19; (3) a "caregiving stress" subgroup (n = 104, 24.6%) with high probability of experiencing challenges with home and work life including increased partner conflict; and (4) a "mental health changes" subgroup (n = 150, 35.5%) characterized by relatively low probability of adverse experiences but high probability of negative changes in mental health and lifestyle. Individuals in subgroups 1 and 4, which had low probabilities of adverse experiences, were significantly more likely to be non-Hispanic white. Individuals in subgroup 2 were more likely to identify with a sexual or racial/ethnic minority population. Inductive coding of qualitative data yielded themes such as stress, mental health, financial impact, and adaptation/resilience, providing context for pandemic-related adversity.

CONCLUSION:

Though many individuals in our sample experienced hardship, minority populations were unequally impacted by pandemic-related adversity in work life, home life, and wellbeing. Recovery and future emergency preparedness efforts in Georgia must incorporate support mechanisms for mental health and IPV, focusing especially on the intersectional needs of racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Intimate Partner Violence / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-022-14285-4

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Intimate Partner Violence / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-022-14285-4