A Community Assessment of Psychological Distress in Pacific Islanders Across San Francisco Bay Area Churches During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health and social disparities among US Pacific Islanders (PI). Historically, PIs have experienced a high burden of mental illness yet have underutilized mental health services. These already large treatment gaps in mental health care among PIs may worsen during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of pre-existing challenges, little is known about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health outcomes among PIs.

Methods

A community-based, cross-sectional survey was administered to members of 13 PI churches across the San Francisco Bay Area. We assessed the burden of psychological distress among PIs and its associations with demographic, sociocultural, and health factors.

Key results

Among 439 PI respondents, nearly

SUBMITTER: Cha L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9901373 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature