Variation in pandemic impacts on the mental health of Black, Hispanic, and White American veterans.

Veterans identifying as members of ethnic/racial minority groups are disproportionately affected by adverse social determinants of health and consequently may be uniquely vulnerable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the economic, work, social, home, and health impacts of the pandemic and mental health outcomes of a national sample of veterans (N = 638) participating in a longitudinal survey study. Perceived stress was also examined as a potential mediator between COVID-19 impacts and mental health using multiple groups path analyses. Most COVID-19 impacts were not significantly associated with posttraumatic stress, depression, or anxiety symptoms across racial/ethnic groups; however, COVID-19 impacts were generally associated with greater perceived stress for White participants and an indirect effect of perceived stress on the relationship between COVID-19 impacts and mental health emerged for White participants across economic, social, and health domains for depression and anxiety. Findings point to general resilience in the veteran population, particularly among minoritized racial/ethnic groups.