Coping strategies and household stress/violence in remote Alaska: a longitudinal view across the COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Fried, Ruby, Hahn, Micah, Gillott, Lauren, Cochran, Patricia, Eichelberger, Laura
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2022
• Subjects: Original Research Article; Circumpolar Health; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9704083/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36419229; https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2022.2149064

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.