“We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemic
Previous studies show mental and physical health inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but few use an intersectional lens to identify the assets and unmet needs of groups that are multiply marginalized by their social categories. This study explores how older, Black, same-gender...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125003766 |
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| author | Robynn Ashenden Porsha Hall Mary Anne Adams Dipa Sharma Gautam Jennifer Horn Tonia Poteat |
| author_facet | Robynn Ashenden Porsha Hall Mary Anne Adams Dipa Sharma Gautam Jennifer Horn Tonia Poteat |
| author_sort | Robynn Ashenden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Previous studies show mental and physical health inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but few use an intersectional lens to identify the assets and unmet needs of groups that are multiply marginalized by their social categories. This study explores how older, Black, same-gender-loving women discussed their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on health. Sixteen focus groups were conducted between July and December 2020 with 4–8 participants each (N = 102) from across the U.S. Content analysis revealed insight into the determinants of health among older, Black, same-gender-loving women, impacts of the pandemic, and how participants were able to maintain their health. Participants’ experiences with healthcare were most prominently shaped by their intersectional social categories, as they faced complex systems of oppression rooted in heterosexism, racism, sexism, and ageism. We found discrimination to be the most prominent determinant of health, manifesting through various barriers and a lack of access to providers of preferred social categories. The complex trauma experienced during the Trump Administration, COVID-19 lockdowns, and racial unrest after the murder of George Floyd had generally negative impacts on daily life, relationships, and mental health. However, these were mitigated for some through positive internal and external coping strategies, including online resource use, mutual aid, and telehealth experiences. As evidenced by these experiences, future research and interventions need to adopt an intersectional lens and center multiply marginalized groups to mitigate future harms and promote health equity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d0602aa6b2c54213b0e8d5dd081c9fa9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2590-2911 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-d0602aa6b2c54213b0e8d5dd081c9fa92025-08-20T03:24:03ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011210164810.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101648“We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemicRobynn Ashenden0Porsha Hall1Mary Anne Adams2Dipa Sharma Gautam3Jennifer Horn4Tonia Poteat5Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Corresponding author.ZAMI NOBLA: National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging, P.O. Box 90986, Atlanta, GA, 30364, USAZAMI NOBLA: National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging, P.O. Box 90986, Atlanta, GA, 30364, USADepartment of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 333 S Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USAPikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, 14 S Chestnut Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 80905, USADepartment of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 333 S Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USAPrevious studies show mental and physical health inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but few use an intersectional lens to identify the assets and unmet needs of groups that are multiply marginalized by their social categories. This study explores how older, Black, same-gender-loving women discussed their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on health. Sixteen focus groups were conducted between July and December 2020 with 4–8 participants each (N = 102) from across the U.S. Content analysis revealed insight into the determinants of health among older, Black, same-gender-loving women, impacts of the pandemic, and how participants were able to maintain their health. Participants’ experiences with healthcare were most prominently shaped by their intersectional social categories, as they faced complex systems of oppression rooted in heterosexism, racism, sexism, and ageism. We found discrimination to be the most prominent determinant of health, manifesting through various barriers and a lack of access to providers of preferred social categories. The complex trauma experienced during the Trump Administration, COVID-19 lockdowns, and racial unrest after the murder of George Floyd had generally negative impacts on daily life, relationships, and mental health. However, these were mitigated for some through positive internal and external coping strategies, including online resource use, mutual aid, and telehealth experiences. As evidenced by these experiences, future research and interventions need to adopt an intersectional lens and center multiply marginalized groups to mitigate future harms and promote health equity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125003766COVID-19Health equitySocial determinants of healthSexual minorityAfrican AmericanIntersectionality |
| spellingShingle | Robynn Ashenden Porsha Hall Mary Anne Adams Dipa Sharma Gautam Jennifer Horn Tonia Poteat “We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemic Social Sciences and Humanities Open COVID-19 Health equity Social determinants of health Sexual minority African American Intersectionality |
| title | “We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | “We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | “We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | “We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | “We have a lot of battles to fight”: The experiences of older, Black, same-gender-loving women during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | we have a lot of battles to fight the experiences of older black same gender loving women during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | COVID-19 Health equity Social determinants of health Sexual minority African American Intersectionality |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125003766 |
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