The Impact of COVID-19 among Black Girls: A Social-Ecological Perspective

Objective: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black adolescent girls' physical, psychological, and sexual development. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 girls (9-18 years old) primarily across the Midwestern United States. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. We conducted a conventional content analysis by reviewing transcripts, coding data, and developing themes. Results: Utilizing the social-ecological model findings revealed themes related to the individual-, interpersonal-, institutional-, and community-level changes that Black girls experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Black adolescent girls need opportunities to discuss the changes, receive relevant resources, and have spaces to support their physical, psychological, and sexual development. Systems such as families, schools, and clinics should implement programming to facilitate discussions around the impact of COVID-19 on Black girls.