What was the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health? This study in the Disability & Health Journal looks at the mental health of violent crime victims during COVID.
This plain language summary is part of a new series sharing highlights from the Disability and Health Journal.
Why was this study done?
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more mental health issues in U.S. adults, particularly depression. Many studies focus on the overall population. However, they often miss an important group: people with disabilities. The pandemic has had a significant impact on these individuals. It has made mental health issues worse, especially for those who have been victims of violent crime. However, research on how these individuals fared during the pandemic was excluded from previous studies. This study aimed to fill that gap.
How was this study done?
Researchers analyzed data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to complete the study. This dataset ranged from 2019 to 2022. They aimed to see how the pandemic affected people with disabilities who faced violent crime. The study provided insights into social and emotional issues. It also looks at how victims used services during and after the pandemic.
The study looked at many factors related to victims and incidents. These include age, sexual identity, ethnic and racial identity, education level, employment status, income, marital status, immigration status, and geographic location. The study looked at several factors, including:
- The victim-offender relationship
- Whether a weapon was present
- The type of offense
- Any injuries to the victim
- The number of offenders
- Where the incident occurred
The study broke the data into three phases:
- Pre-pandemic: January 2019 to February 2020
- Pandemic Phase I: March 2020 to March 2021
- Pandemic Phase II: April 2021 to December 2022
They also examined the obstacles people face in getting the services they need. Researchers looked at the use of victim services and how outcomes varied. The factors considered were disability status, sex, age, and details of the incident.
What did this study show?
People with disabilities who are also victims of violent crime had more comprehensive and complex needs that were not met during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Victims of violence who had disabilities, especially women, often struggled more with emotional issues. Many were victims of intimate partner violence and sexual crimes. Researchers found that the victim’s age and job status mattered. When it came to age, older people with disabilities had more incidents of mental health concerns. If the individual was unemployed or under-employed, mental health concerns were greater. Also, details like weapon use and injuries were important. When weapons were used in violent acts, the mental health of the individual was worse, and if the person was injured during the interaction, the person’s mental health was negatively impacted. In cities and suburbs, those with lower incomes were more likely to say they faced these issues.
- The findings showed key differences in socio-emotional issues. These differences were like those found in earlier research done before the pandemic. In the second phase of the pandemic, the gap in socio-emotional problems between female and male victims with disabilities closed a bit. Higher levels of marginalization and isolation hurt both groups. Older victims and those from marginalized racial or ethnic groups faced more emotional and social challenges. People aged 50-64 had the highest risk of distress during all phases of the pandemic.
- Key traits of violent incidents changed the chances of socio-emotional issues. Incidents with close partners, family, or friends caused more distress. Crimes in private settings like the victim’s home caused more distress. The use of weapons also increased distress. The type of crime mattered: sexual crimes and robberies led to more emotional issues.
Learn more about this study
Before the pandemic, people with disabilities were at a higher risk for violent crime than others. The pandemic brought tough challenges for all. For victims of violent crime with disabilities, things were even harder. Lockdowns and social distancing made it tough for victims to get help. People with disabilities often rely on healthcare more than others. Yet, during the pandemic, the system faced many challenges and became overwhelmed. This made it hard for people to access vital services, like mental health counseling and support.
For those with disabilities, this lack of access was especially harmful. Distress increased among this population as support dwindled. This led to more barriers in getting care. A trend noted in the study was the low use of victim services during the pandemic. Victim services and social support should have increased. The growing stigma, rising violence, and health concerns made this clear. Many victims, especially those with cognitive disabilities, struggled to access the services needed.
Many people with disabilities who experienced violence felt excluded from their communities. This made them hesitate to seek help or use resources. As a result, they faced more social and self-isolation. They also faced a lack of accessible online resources. Those with disabilities in racial and ethnic minority groups felt more stress. This stress came from the pandemic’s impact and a rise in hate crimes.
What can we do in the future based on this study?
- Future efforts must improve both in-person and online help.
- Healthcare and social service providers need training to help them recognize and meet the needs of this vulnerable population.
- Emergency plans need to help people with disabilities access key services. This way, victims can get the support they need during and after public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
- There needs to be support systems that are more inclusive and accessible. All victims should get the care they need to heal and recover, no matter their disability status.
Limitations of the study
- The sample may not fully reflect the experiences of victims with cognitive disabilities.
- Due to sample size concerns, researchers were not able to break down their analysis by disability type or test the relationship between outcomes and other variables during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
- They did not capture other possible causes of socio-emotional problems. These include mental health issues before the pandemic, fear of COVID-19 infections, loss from COVID-19, financial challenges related to COVID-19, and the level of support in victims’ lives.
- Lastly, researchers were not able to discern if the victim’s disability was a result of the victimization incident.