Evaluating resilience in terms of COVID-19 related behavioral health among Latinx adults during the coronavirus pandemic

The mental and behavioral health burden resulting from COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the Latinx population. Yet, no work has investigated the influence of resilience as a protective factor against COVID-19 related consequences. The aim of the current study was to evaluate resilience in relation to COVID-19 related fear, anxiety symptoms, COVID-19 anxiety-related sleep disturbances, and depression among Latinx persons (178 Latinx persons [31.5% female, M-age = 34.1 years, SD = 8.2]). It was hypothesized that greater levels of resilience would be associated with lower levels of all COVID-19 related behavioral health outcomes above and beyond the variance accounted for by years living in the United States (U.S.), degree of COVID-19 exposure, sex, age, education, and COVID-19 related work and financial troubles and home-life distress. Results indicated that greater levels of resilience were associated with lower levels of COVID-19 related fear (Delta R-2 = .06, p < .001), anxiety symptoms (Delta R-2 = .03, p = .005), COVID-19 anxiety-related sleep disturbances (Delta R-2 = .06, p < .001), and depression (Delta R-2 = .04, p = .001). Overall, the present study is the first to document the potential importance of resilience in relation to common and clinically significant COVID-19 behavioral health problems among Latinx persons.