Psychological Distress and Physical Health Symptoms in the Latinx Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Role of Anxiety Sensitivity.

Abstract

ObjectiveThe outbreak of the novel 2019 SARS2-Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to substantial physical and mental health consequences. Rates of mortality and hospitalization are highest among those of racial and ethnic minority persons, including Latinx persons. Further, Latinx persons have been experiencing elevated mental health problems in response to the pandemic compared to non-Latinx Whites. The current study examined whether individual differences in anxiety sensitivity (AS) related to more severe emotional distress associated with social distancing, financial strain, fear of COVID-19, and physical health symptoms stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic among Latinx adults.MethodsParticipants included 188 Latinx persons (31.4% female, Mage = 34.1 years, SD = 8.16) recruited via an online survey panel program.ResultsResults indicated that AS significantly contributed to increased severity of the emotional stress response associated with social distancing (ΔR2 = 0.15, p < 0.001), financial strain (ΔR2 = 0.15, p < 0.001), physical health symptoms (ΔR2 = 0.03, p = 0.006), and fear of COVID-19 (ΔR2 = 0.15, p < 0.001). These effects were evident over and above the variance accounted for by gender, years living in the United States, education, and work and home life COVID-19-related stress.ConclusionsThese cross-sectional findings suggest AS may be an important individual difference factor for better understanding mental health among Latinx persons in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.