Association Between COVID-19 Pandemic and Outcomes Measures Within a Clinical Population Given Race and Ethnicity
Abstract
The onset and quick spread of COVID-19 was a catastrophic event worldwide, which brought on innumerous social, political, and psychological effects. Certain studies have shown an increase in mental health issues throughout the pandemic, while others have showed no significant change. This study aimed to examine a diverse community population receiving psychotherapy in New York City and analyze whether there were any significant changes in their experience of distress (as captured by the OQ-45) at three time points: pre-pandemic (January to March 2020), pre-vaccine quarantine (April to December 2020), and post-vaccine (January to December 2021). Additionally, given recent findings of racial differences in the pandemic’s impact, this study also aimed to examine whether non-white participants experienced more intense and sustained rise in distress levels. Data was collected from 190 participants receiving psychotherapy at The McShane Center for Psychological Services. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in the experience of total distress between the three time points for the sample, and that there were no significant differences between white and non-white participants. However, there was a significant rise in a subscale of distress, interpersonal relations, indicating that participants experienced a rise in interpersonal concerns between the pre-vaccine quarantine period and post-vaccine period. I posit that the lack of rise in distress could be due to changing participants and the effect of psychotherapy as a buffer to COVID distress, whereas the rise in interpersonal discomfort could be due to previous isolation or due to a delayed effect.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology|Mental health|Psychology
Recommended Citation
Meneguzzo Caldart, Georgia, "Association Between COVID-19 Pandemic and Outcomes Measures Within a Clinical Population Given Race and Ethnicity" (2023). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI30633779.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI30633779
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