Experiences of COVID-19 pandemic-related stress among sexual and gender minority emerging adult migrants in the United States

Authors

Edward J. Alessi, Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway
Michael P. Dentato, Loyola University ChicagoFollow
Vincent Sarna, Loyola University ChicagoFollow
Andrew Eaton, University of Regina, Saskatchewan
Shelley L. Craig, University Of Toronto, Toronto
Shannon P. Cheung, Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-7-2022

Publication Title

Stress and Health

Volume

38

Issue

4

Publisher Name

1-15

Abstract

There is a dearth of research that examines COVID-19-related stress among multiply marginalised individuals who are in the developmental phase of emerging adulthood. This qualitative study investigated how the intersection of emerging adulthood, sexual and gender minority (SGM) identity, and migrant status were reflected in the experiences of SGM individuals (n = 37; ages 20–25 years old) who migrated to various parts of the United States in the last 5 years. Data were collected online using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that participants' developmental processes (e.g., identity exploration, building financial independence) were shaped by pandemic-related stressors, especially unemployment and financial instability. Participants who were able to maintain employment did so but at the risk of their health and safety. Findings also showed that participants experienced feelings of anxiety and depression due to social isolation, but online communication played an important role in combatting loneliness. Findings highlight the potential for trauma-informed and intersectional approaches to practice with SGM emerging adult migrants and expanded health services and temporary entitlement programs to mitigate the pandemic's effects on this population's psychosocial and financial well-being.

Comments

© 2022 The Authors. Stress and Health published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3198

Recommended Citation

Alessi, Edward J.; Dentato, Michael P.; Sarna, Vincent; Eaton, Andrew; Craig, Shelley L.; and Cheung, Shannon P.. Experiences of COVID-19 pandemic-related stress among sexual and gender minority emerging adult migrants in the United States. Stress and Health, 38, 4: , 2022. Retrieved from Loyola eCommons, Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smi.3198

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright Statement

© 2022 The Authors. Stress and Health published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.