Participants with prior mental health conditions faced significantly higher likelihood of COVID-19-related psychological distress both cross-sectionally (AOR=3.54) and over time (AOR=4.88), while resilience emerged as a protective factor among predominantly Black and Latino public housing residents.
Key Findings
Results
Participants with prior mental health conditions had significantly higher odds of COVID-19-related psychological distress in cross-sectional analysis.
AOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.62–7.73
31% of the sample (approximately 121 of 392 participants) reported a prior mental health condition
Analysis used mixed-effects multilevel logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographic, risk, and protective factors
Sample comprised 392 participants from 146 public housing households in South Bronx, NYC
Results
The association between prior mental health conditions and COVID-19-related psychological distress was stronger in longitudinal analysis over time.
AOR = 4.88, 95% CI: 2.25–10.59 in the longitudinal model
Study included eight time points of data collection
The longitudinal AOR (4.88) was notably higher than the cross-sectional AOR (3.54), suggesting the gap in distress widened over the course of the pandemic
Mixed-effects multilevel logistic regression was used for both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis
Results
Resilience was identified as a protective factor against COVID-19-related psychological distress specifically for individuals with prior mental health conditions.
Resilience was highlighted as a key protective factor in adjusted models
The finding supports the promotion of equity-centered resilience-building programs
Study population was predominantly Black and Latino public housing residents in the South Bronx, NYC
Results
Middle adulthood (ages 36–55) emerged as a risk factor for COVID-19-related psychological distress.
Age group 36–55 was associated with increased likelihood of distress compared to other age groups
This finding was identified after adjusting for sociodemographic, risk, and protective factors
The result suggests age-specific vulnerability during the pandemic period
Methods
The study population was predominantly Black and Latino public housing residents in the South Bronx, a community facing compounded inequities during the pandemic.
N = 392 participants drawn from 146 households in South Bronx, NYC
Data were collected across eight time points in a longitudinal design
The study framed its findings within the context of racial and economic injustice exacerbating pandemic-related challenges
All measures were self-reported, posing a potential risk of information bias as noted by the authors
What This Means
This research suggests that Black and Latino residents of public housing in the South Bronx who had a history of mental health conditions were far more likely to experience psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to those without such a history. Using data collected at eight different points in time from nearly 400 people across 146 households, the researchers found that the gap in distress between those with and without prior mental health conditions actually grew larger over the course of the pandemic—not just at a single snapshot in time. This points to a compounding effect where pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities made it harder to cope with ongoing pandemic stressors.
Importantly, the study also identified resilience as a protective factor—meaning that among people with prior mental health conditions, those who demonstrated greater resilience were less likely to experience high levels of distress. Middle-aged adults between 36 and 55 years old were found to be at greater risk for distress, suggesting that this age group may face particular stressors during crises like a pandemic.
This research suggests that public health responses to future crises should include targeted mental health screening and support programs specifically designed for Black and Latino communities and others facing racial and economic disadvantages. The authors emphasize the importance of equity-centered approaches that take into account pre-existing mental health conditions and actively work to build resilience within these communities, rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.
Choi J, Williams D, Wizentier M, Goodman M, Guilamo-Ramos V, Hagan H. (2026). Facing the pandemic amidst mental health challenges: A longitudinal study of Black and Latino public housing residents.. Journal of affective disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121950