Abstract: Neal-Barnett, Goar, Evans and Solomon
Examining the impact of systemic racism and COVID-19 on the well-being of Black college students at °µÍø½ûÇø
Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D., Psychological Sciences, °µÍø½ûÇø
Carla Goar, Ph.D., Sociology, °µÍø½ûÇø
Na’Tasha Evans, Ph.D., School of Health Sciences, °µÍø½ûÇø
Starr Solomon, Ph.D., Sociology, °µÍø½ûÇø
Black college students must simultaneously navigate the dual pandemics of systemic racism and COVID-19. Race-related stress exacerbates the impact of COVID-19 for Black students, making them more susceptible to heightened fear, anxiety, depression, and stress than their White peers. Systemic racism increases the risk of chronic health conditions associated with fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. Growing concerns surrounding police behavior may amplify the effects of systemic racism on mental health among Black students. The current study relies on a sample of Black and White °µÍø½ûÇø students to examine how COVID-19, racist events, racial discrimination, and perceptions of police behavior operate independently and interactively to predict psychological and physiological fear, anxiety, and stress.