Journal
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
Volume 68, Issue 6, Pages 1053-1058Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.013
Keywords
COVID-19; Self-care behaviors; Behavioral and mental health; Sexual minority adolescents
Funding
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities [R01MD012252]
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The study found that sexual minority adolescents (SMAs) during the COVID-19 pandemic engaged in self-care practices such as maintaining relationships, routines, body and mind wellness, rest and reset, and tuning out to promote positive mental health. However, some SMAs also resorted to negative coping strategies, like excessive TV watching or alcohol and drug use, to disengage from stressors.
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major life disruptions for sexual minority adolescents (SMAs), who already face and cope with pervasive and disproportionate rates of social, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Current research suggests that SMAs are struggling with COVID-19erelated shelter in place orders navigating family proximity and dynamics and experiencing isolation from SMA-specific supports. Given identified challenges that may exacerbate known mental health disparities in SMAs, this work explores self-care practices among SMAs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The present study uses data from open-ended questions to understand SMA experiences of self-care within a nationwide sample of SMAs (N = 770; M = 17.48 years, SD = 1.00) who are part of an ongoing prospective study. Data were collected via online questionnaire between May 13 and 31, 2020. Thematic analysis guided data exploration. Results: Thematic analysis revealed five self-care practices among SMAs: (1) relationships, (2) routines, (3) body and mind, (4) rest and reset, and (5) tuning out. SMAs engaged in many positive coping strategies (i.e., exercise, establishing routine) and often linked these activities to positive well-being. Other SMAs engaged in activities to distract or disengage from stressors (i.e., excessive TV and alcohol and drug use). Conclusions: These findings highlight the resiliency of SMAs during the current pandemic, opportunities for providers to emphasize adaptive coping skills with youths, and the need for more research on adolescent self-care practices. (C) 2021 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
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