Addressing the Mental Health of Black Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the world. However, a particular group has felt the effects of the pandemic to an extraordinarily greater degree: Black older adults. This conceptual paper applies the law of small effects theory to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the mental health and well-being of Black older adults. It explores factors such as health and healthcare disparities, geographic factors, cultural factors, and other components of the Black older adult experience in the context of COVID-19. The conclusions and implications address how the subfields within gerontology and geropsychology can aid Black older adults moving forward, things to consider as the pandemic persists, and considerations following its conclusion.