Citation

Fried R, Hahn M, Gillott L, Cochran P, Eichelberger L. Int. J. Circumpolar Health. 2022; 81(1): e2149064.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, International Union for Circumpolar Health, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/22423982.2022.2149064

PMID

36419229

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced novel stressors. Remote/rural communities have experienced additional difficulties, while also potentially benefitting from unique sources of resilience against such stressors. However, very little research has been conducted in remote/rural communities regarding coping and stress/violence. This study examines coping strategies and household stress/violence in remote Alaska communities across the pandemic through three online survey waves (November 2020-September 2021) (total n = 1,020). Across all waves, personal care was reported most frequently followed by social activities, religious activities, and traditional/subsistence activities. Substance use combined (alcohol, nicotine, marijuana) and seeking counselling were less frequently reported, with significant differences across gender and age categories. Less than 10% of individuals reported physical violence towards children and/or other adults within the household. Overall, these findings indicate that individuals are primarily relying on positive coping strategies to contend with additional stress brought into their lives by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Child; Humans; Violence; mental health; coping; Pandemics; *COVID-19; Adaptation, Psychological; Alaska native; Alaska/epidemiology; rural health