Abstract
On January 31, 2020, Santa Clara County reported California’s (CA) first COVID-19 case. As the pandemic unfolded, health systems were severely strained, and health care workers faced dual exposure risks from their communities and households alongside heightened occupational risk from direct patient care.1,2 For Black and Latinx nurses, COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on their communities intensified stress, fear, and uncertainty, and when combined with the demands of frontline work, greatly increased their risk of psychological distress and burnout. We examined COVID-19’s impact on the mental health and well-being of Black and Latinx nurses in CA.
Method: We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, starting with online survey of 359 Black and Latinx CA nurses, followed by in-depth interviews with 23 nurses between July and November 2023. The survey captured data on demographics, psychological distress, burnout, and racialized experiences. We conducted multiple linear regression to identify associated factors. Quantitative findings informed the interview guide, which explored coping and resilience strategies. Qualitative data were analyzed using a rapid analysis approach.
Results: We included a diverse sample of Black (44.5%), Latinx (40.2%), and mixed race (15.3%). Correlates of burnout included age £40 (b=-0.81 [-1.60, -0.03], p=0.043), working as a nurse practitioner (b= -1.03 [-1.81, -0.25], p=0.010), and reporting a higher perceived likelihood of COVID-19 infection (b= -0.63 [-1.22, -0.05], p=0.035). Correlates of perceived psychological distress included; being a male (b=-2.16 [-4.29, -0.02], p=0.047), practicing in “other” nursing roles (b=7.97 [5.64, 10.29], p< 0.001), and experiencing moderate racial microaggressions (b=2.46 [0.69, 4.23], p=0.007). Qualitative findings reinforced survey results. Nurses described feeling constantly on edge, relying on adrenaline, and experiencing physical or verbal abuse often perceived as racially motivated, which led some to consider leaving the profession. While a few reported no burnout, many adapted positive coping strategies such as exercise, mindfulness, spirituality, support groups, and family support; others reported overeating or excessive alcohol use.
Conclusion: COVID-19 intensified burnout among Black and Latinx nurses, with gender dynamics and racial discrimination heightening emotional distress, underscoring the need for tailored mental health support and inclusive workplace policies.
Notes
References:
1. Billock RM, Groenewold MR, Sweeney MH, de Perio MA, Gaughan DM, Luckhaupt SE. Reported exposure trends among healthcare personnel COVID-19 cases, USA, March 2020–March 2021. American Journal of Infection Control. 2022;50(5):548-554.
2. Burrer SL, de Perio MA, Hughes MM, et al. Characteristics of health care personnel with COVID-19—United States, February 12–April 9, 2020. 2020.
Additional references included in attached slide deck.
This research was funded by a grant from the California Collaborative for Pandemic Recovery and Readiness Research (CPR3) Program (Grant # A140673) through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Sigma Membership
Alpha Eta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Explanatory
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Workforce, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, COVID-19, COVID-19 Pandemic, Mental Health, Well-Being, Psychological Well-Being, Health of Nurses, California
Recommended Citation
Ouner, Jerry John; Afulani, Patience; Asakitogum, David A.; Umeh, Nneka; Getahun, Monica; Okiring, Jaffer; Denyu, Michael; Harris, Orlando; and Odiase, Osamuedeme, "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Black and Latinx Nurses in California" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 223.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/223
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-26
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Black and Latinx Nurses in California
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
On January 31, 2020, Santa Clara County reported California’s (CA) first COVID-19 case. As the pandemic unfolded, health systems were severely strained, and health care workers faced dual exposure risks from their communities and households alongside heightened occupational risk from direct patient care.1,2 For Black and Latinx nurses, COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on their communities intensified stress, fear, and uncertainty, and when combined with the demands of frontline work, greatly increased their risk of psychological distress and burnout. We examined COVID-19’s impact on the mental health and well-being of Black and Latinx nurses in CA.
Method: We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, starting with online survey of 359 Black and Latinx CA nurses, followed by in-depth interviews with 23 nurses between July and November 2023. The survey captured data on demographics, psychological distress, burnout, and racialized experiences. We conducted multiple linear regression to identify associated factors. Quantitative findings informed the interview guide, which explored coping and resilience strategies. Qualitative data were analyzed using a rapid analysis approach.
Results: We included a diverse sample of Black (44.5%), Latinx (40.2%), and mixed race (15.3%). Correlates of burnout included age £40 (b=-0.81 [-1.60, -0.03], p=0.043), working as a nurse practitioner (b= -1.03 [-1.81, -0.25], p=0.010), and reporting a higher perceived likelihood of COVID-19 infection (b= -0.63 [-1.22, -0.05], p=0.035). Correlates of perceived psychological distress included; being a male (b=-2.16 [-4.29, -0.02], p=0.047), practicing in “other” nursing roles (b=7.97 [5.64, 10.29], p< 0.001), and experiencing moderate racial microaggressions (b=2.46 [0.69, 4.23], p=0.007). Qualitative findings reinforced survey results. Nurses described feeling constantly on edge, relying on adrenaline, and experiencing physical or verbal abuse often perceived as racially motivated, which led some to consider leaving the profession. While a few reported no burnout, many adapted positive coping strategies such as exercise, mindfulness, spirituality, support groups, and family support; others reported overeating or excessive alcohol use.
Conclusion: COVID-19 intensified burnout among Black and Latinx nurses, with gender dynamics and racial discrimination heightening emotional distress, underscoring the need for tailored mental health support and inclusive workplace policies.
Description
The study found that COVID-19 intensified burnout and psychological distress among Black and Latinx nurses in California, driven by combined community and workplace exposure risks, racial discrimination, and the pressures of frontline care. Survey and interview data showed that demographic factors, nursing roles, and experiences of microaggressions were associated with distress, underscoring the need for targeted mental health support and more inclusive workplace policies.