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Article
Community cohesion, social support, and mental health among black individuals in Chicago: A cross-sectional examination of the effects on COVID-19 vaccination
Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities
  • Katherine G Quinn, Medical College of Wisconsin, Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, USA. kaquinn@mcw.edu.
  • Bijou Hunt, Sinai Health System, Sinai Urban Health Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.
  • Jacquelyn Jacobs, Sinai Health System, Sinai Urban Health Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.
  • Jesus Valencia, Sinai Health System, Sinai Urban Health Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.
  • Jana Hirschtick, Advocate Aurora Health
  • Jennifer L Walsh, Medical College of Wisconsin, Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, USA.
Scholarly Activity Date
10-23-2023
Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic put a significant strain on communities, social resources, and personal relationships, disproportionately impacting Black and low-income communities in the United States. Community cohesion and social support are positively associated with numerous health outcomes and preventive health measures, yet were strained during the pandemic due to COVID mitigation measures. This study examined the relationships between social cohesion, social support, mental health, and COVID-19 vaccination to understand whether community cohesion and social support were associated with increased likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 537 Black Chicagoans that was disseminated between September 2021 and March 2022. Structural equation modeling was used to test associations between community cohesion, social support, loneliness, anxiety, stress, and having received a COVID-19 vaccination. Results demonstrated that social support mediated associations between community cohesion and loneliness, anxiety, and stress, but was not associated with COVID-19 vaccination. These results demonstrate the importance of community cohesion and social support on mental health and suggest there are other potential pathways that may link community cohesion and vaccination.

Document Type
Article
PubMed ID
37872464
Citation Information

Quinn KG, Hunt B, Jacobs J, Valencia J, Hirschtick J, Walsh JL. Community Cohesion, Social Support, and Mental Health among Black Individuals in Chicago: A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Effects on COVID-19 Vaccination [published online ahead of print, 2023 Oct 23]. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023;10.1007/s40615-023-01837-6. doi:10.1007/s40615-023-01837-6