Psychological, social and financial impact of COVID-19 on culturally and linguistically diverse communities: a cross-sectional Australian study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the psychological, social, and financial impacts of COVID-19 on culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. DesignCross-sectional survey informed by the Framework for Culturally Competent Health Research conducted between March and July, 2021. SettingParticipants were recruited from Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Participants708 community members who speak a language other than English at home participated (mean age 45.4years [range 18-91]; 88% [n=622] born outside of Australia). Outcome measuresFifteen items regarding impacts of COVID-19, adapted from validated scales, previous surveys or co-designed in partnership with Multicultural Health and interpreter service staff. Logistic regression models (using post-stratification weighted frequencies) identified factors associated with psychological, social, and financial impacts. Surveys were available in English or translated (11 languages). ResultsEven prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, 25% of the sample reported feeling nervous or stressed most/all of the time and 22% felt lonely or alone most/all of the time. One quarter of participants reported negative impacts on their spousal relationships as a result of COVID-19 and most parents reported that their children were less active (64%), had more screen time (63%), and were finding school harder (45%). Mean financial burden was 2.9/5 (95%CI=2.8 to 2.9). Regression analyses consistently showed distinct impact patterns for different language groups and more negative outcomes for those with comorbidities. ConclusionCulturally and linguistically diverse communities experience significant psychological, social and financial impacts of COVID-19, with distinct impact patterns across language groups. A whole-of-government approach with policy and sustainable infrastructure is needed to co-design innovative, tailored and culturally-safe COVID-19 support packages. ARTICLE SUMMARY O_TEXTBOXStrengths and limitations of this study O_LIThis is the largest Australian survey exploring the impacts of COVID-19 among people who primarily speak a language other than English, enabled through recruitment methods that are inclusive and reduce barriers to participation (e.g. translated surveys, engagement of interpreters and multicultural health staff who are trusted in their communities, and use of multiple recruitment methods including through community events and networks). C_LIO_LIThis study was co-designed by researchers and multicultural health service staff, in alignment with the Framework of Culturally Competent Health Research. C_LIO_LITo reduce survey length and burden on participants we purposefully selected a small number of items from validated measures or our previous research to explore psychological, social and financial impacts, or co-designed them specifically for this study. C_LIO_LIWe used convenience sampling methods and self-report may have introduced recall and social desirability bias. C_LIO_LIWe are unable to explore changes in impacts of COVID-19 over time. C_LI C_TEXTBOX