Optimism, Resilience, and Other Health-Protective Factors Among Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) suffer disproportionately from coronavirus-related illness, death, financial loss. The aim this retrospective, qualitative study was to better understand the experiences BIPOC students at a Bronx-based public university during COVID-19 pandemic. Data collected reflective final exam in health sciences course May 2020. Responses (n = 28) were coded analyzed using Social Determinants Health (SDH) framework. Several themes identified structural intermediary determinant areas, including occupation, education, social cohesion, psychosocial factors. Participants demonstrated optimism, resilience, perseverance—protective factors against exposure adverse SDH. Findings indicate that negatively impacted multiple SDH areas which may have compounding effect, hindering equity justice. Providers academic support are critical levers addressing barriers helping strengthen protective reduce impacts health-damaging determinants.