Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
J Adolesc Health. 2021 Jun;68(6):1053-1058. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.013. Epub 2021 Apr 17.
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-19-related 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.
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.
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).
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.
COVID-19 大流行给性少数青少年（SMA）的生活带来了重大干扰，他们已经面临并应对普遍存在的、不成比例的社会、行为和心理健康挑战。目前的研究表明，SMA 正在努力应对与 COVID-19 相关的就地避难令，他们需要处理家庭关系和动态问题，并经历来自 SMA 特定支持的隔离。鉴于可能加剧 SMA 中已知心理健康差距的已确定挑战，这项工作探讨了 COVID-19 大流行期间 SMA 的自我保健实践。
本研究使用开放式问题的数据来理解 SMA 在全国性 SMA 样本（N=770；M=17.48 岁，SD=1.00）中的自我保健经验，他们是正在进行的前瞻性研究的一部分。数据是在 2020 年 5 月 13 日至 31 日期间通过在线问卷收集的。主题分析指导了数据探索。
主题分析揭示了 SMA 的五种自我保健实践：（1）人际关系，（2）日常生活，（3）身心，（4）休息和重置，（5）调谐。SMA 采用了许多积极的应对策略（例如，锻炼、建立日常生活），并经常将这些活动与积极的幸福感联系起来。其他 SMA 则参与了一些活动来分散或摆脱压力源（例如，过度看电视、饮酒和吸毒）。
这些发现强调了 SMA 在当前大流行期间的韧性，为提供者提供了强调青少年适应性应对技能的机会，以及对青少年自我保健实践进行更多研究的必要性。
