Psychology Students Explore COVID-19’s Impact on Latinx Individuals

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the racial and ethnic disparities across the United States ever more prominent. Psychology students Justin Li ’22 and Gabriela Lucania ’22 spent their summer researching the effects of the pandemic’s tumultuous times amongst Hispanic and Latinx communities.

Specifically, Li said, “We are hoping to understand and piece together the general themes in the experiences of Hispanic and Latinx people affected by social distancing, changes in the workplace, and other social changes emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“This research could potentially help those in vulnerable populations better understand the effects that COVID is having, not only their physical health, but their mental health as well,” explained Lucania. “It can help people gain a better understanding of how their mental health is being impacted and gain knowledge on coping mechanisms that will help them through this distressing time.”  

Due to COVID-19, Li and Lucania conducted their research project remotely and held participant interviews over Zoom. They reviewed interview transcripts and analyzed data using the survey tool Qualtrics, a process that can take hours given the amount of participant data. The most challenging part of the research project was the heavy nature of the topic, said Li. “These topics are really hard. A lot of people would get emotional over having family members that contracted COVID, or family members dealing with taking care of people and being really worried for them, having to see them in the hospital, having to pay bills because they’re away for so long. It’s difficult.”

The Opportunities Ahead

As Li and Lucania wrap up their final research analysis, they each reflected on how the Summer Research Program prepared them for graduate school and helped them explore career options. 

“I really wanted to use the Summer Research Program to gain experience, as well as seeing if I enjoy research, because I was unsure of it prior,” said Li. “I think I would go on to do grad school because I do enjoy research. I enjoy how it makes me use the skills that I feel I’m confident in, like interviews and gauging my participants, and seeing exactly what’s going on,” he said.  

“This research aligns with my professional goals because I plan on going to grad school and eventually getting my doctoral degree,” said Lucania, who wants to become a licensed clinical psychologist. “This research program has helped me get a glimpse of what the rest of my career will look like, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

Gabriela Luciana '22: “This research program has helped me get a glimpse of what the rest of my career will look like, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

Psychology Professor Mark Barajas, Li and Lucania’s faculty advisor, said his goal in the Summer Research Program is to help students find their voice and demystify the research process. “As a small college and not a research-based university, these are important opportunities for both students and faculty to share research on a bigger stage with other schools on the West Coast.”

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, Li and Lucania said it is fulfilling knowing their research will contribute useful knowledge. “The most rewarding part of my research has to be conducting the interviews and being able to hear first hand what other people’s experiences were. Just hearing from participants that they are happy and they feel like they are being heard in all of this was so amazing. Knowing that I am actually helping people and making a difference, even if it is just a small one, means a lot.”  

LEARN MORE about the Summer Research Program.