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A Mixed Methods Exploration of Young Women’s Agency and Mental Health during COVID-19 in Low-Income Communities in Mumbai, India

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  • Marie A. Brault

    (Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
    Current address: Department of Population Health, Institute for Excellence in Health Equity, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.)

  • Melissa F. Peskin

    (Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Anastasia N. Jones

    (Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
    Current address: Texas Department of State Health Services, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.)

  • Amrita Saikia

    (Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai 400088, India
    Current address: Institute for Asian Studies in Hamburg, German Institute for Global and Area Studies, 20354 Hamburg, Germany.)

  • Rinchen O. Bhutia

    (Centre for Public Health, School of Health Systems Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai 400088, India)

  • Sai Sammitha Cheruvu

    (Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
    Current address: College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA.)

  • Vaishali M. Jagtap

    (Independent Researcher, Mumbai 400074, India)

  • Rajendra Singh

    (International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) Asia Office, New Delhi 110018, India
    Current address: Independent Researcher, Mumbai 400071, India.)

  • Poornima Nair

    (Health and Disability, Apnalaya, Mumbai 400071, India)

  • Rajesh Vedanthan

    (Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA)

  • Sten H. Vermund

    (Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
    Current address: The Global Virus Network, Inc., Tampa, FL 33612, USA.)

  • Shubhada Maitra

    (Centre for Health and Mental Health, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai 400088, India)

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in India face additional health inequities compared to their male peers, as gender norms constrain agency for prevention and self-care. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns deepened health inequities and often worsened mental health, but the impacts on agency are unclear. This exploratory sequential mixed methods paper examined mental health and COVID-19 elements that exacerbated or mitigated adverse consequences for AGYW in low-income communities in Mumbai. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with AGYW (aged 15–25 years; N = 60) and adults (parents, healthcare providers, community-based organization representative; N = 30). We administered a structured survey to AGYW (N = 150) to assess health concerns, depression and anxiety symptoms (using the PHQ-8 and GAD-7 scales), and experiences during COVID-19. We analyzed qualitative data using the constant comparative approach in Atlas.ti, and quantitative data using R and SPSS. Results: Qualitative data revealed that AGYW faced stressors and had limited agency during lockdowns due to limited access to education, financial insecurity, and community violence. Quantitative data indicated that limited agency in the context of COVID-19 was significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Financial resources to address COVID-19 created new employment and leadership opportunities for AGYW to become COVID educators and preschool teachers; participation in these opportunities was associated with less anxiety. Discussion: Pandemic stress was difficult for low-income AGYW in Mumbai. Mitigating programs for COVID-19 control helped address acute needs and enable capabilities. Exploring similar themes among a broader population of youth can help design strategies and opportunities for young people in low-income communities during health emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Marie A. Brault & Melissa F. Peskin & Anastasia N. Jones & Amrita Saikia & Rinchen O. Bhutia & Sai Sammitha Cheruvu & Vaishali M. Jagtap & Rajendra Singh & Poornima Nair & Rajesh Vedanthan & Sten H. V, 2024. "A Mixed Methods Exploration of Young Women’s Agency and Mental Health during COVID-19 in Low-Income Communities in Mumbai, India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:8:p:1007-:d:1446673
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elizabeth A. K. Jones & Amal K. Mitra & Azad R. Bhuiyan, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Adolescents: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
    2. Mónica Bravo-Sanzana & Rafael Miranda & Xavier Oriol, 2023. "Adolescent Victimization during COVID-19 Lockdowns and Its Influence on Mental Health Problems in Seven Countries: The Mediation Effect of Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Naila Kabeer, 1999. "Resources, Agency, Achievements: Reflections on the Measurement of Women's Empowerment," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 30(3), pages 435-464, July.
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