BACKGROUND: As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in the U.S., individuals with mental health disorders faced compounded challenges exacerbated by existing inequities, including racial and economic injustice. AIM: This study examined the association between having a history of a prior mental health condition and psychological distress related to COVID-19 among predominantly Black and Latino public housing residents, identifying both risk and protective factors.
METHODS: We used longitudinal data comprising eight time points from participants (N = 392) in a sample of 146 households of public housing residents in South Bronx, NYC. We conducted a mixed-effects multilevel logistic regression model for cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis to evaluate the association between recent psychological distress related to COVID-19 and self-reported mental health diagnosis, adjusting for sociodemographic, risk, and protective factors.
RESULTS: Participants with prior mental health conditions (31% of the sample) faced higher likelihood of distress related to COVID-19 (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.62–7.73) and over time (AOR = 4.88, 95% CI: 2.25–10.59). Resilience was a protective factor against distress for individuals with prior mental health conditions, while middle adulthood (age 36–55) emerged as a risk factor for distress.
LIMITATIONS: All self-reported measures pose a potential risk of information bias.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the significant impact of prior mental health conditions on COVID-19-related distress among public housing residents, emphasizing resilience as a protective factor. A targeted approach is critical, including screening for past mental health issues and promoting equity-centered programs tailored to the needs of Black and Latino individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.
Facing the pandemic amidst mental health challenges: A longitudinal study of Black and Latino public housing residents
Journal of Affective Disorders [Epub 2026 May 12]. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2026.121950.