Publication Date
1-1-2023
Journal
Public Health Nursing
DOI
10.1111/phn.13136
PMID
36251216
PMCID
PMC9844081
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
10-17-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Adolescent, Humans, Young Adult, COVID-19, Pandemics, Housing, Adaptation, Psychological, Ill-Housed Persons, Substance-Related Disorders, COVID‐19, mental health, substance use, young adults, youth experiencing homelessness
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH) experience more stressors compared to housed peers, yet little is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these youth. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how YAEH perceived the pandemic's impact on their well-being and coping.
METHODS: YAEH were recruited from those participating in an HIV prevention study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysis was guided by Lazarus and Folkman's transactional theory of stress and coping.
RESULTS: Four major themes were identified from interviews with 40 youth: (1) ongoing harms, (2) COVID-19 as a stressor, (3) mental health impacts, and (4) coping strategies. Participants described unmet basic needs, emotions of frustration and anxiety, and several coping strategies including substance use.
CONCLUSION: Many YAEH reported experiencing continued challenges that were compounded by the stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Special considerations are needed to address pandemic-related exacerbations of mental health symptoms and substance use among YAEH.
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Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, COVID-19 Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Nursing Commons, Pediatrics Commons