Supporting the Well-being of Women in the YWCA Southern Arizona Communities: A Community-based Participatory Research Approach for the Identification of Women's Strengths and Needs in the Aftermath of COVID-19

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic unveiled a disparate negative impact in communities that are historically misrepresented, marginalized and under-resourced in the United States. In the YWCA Southern Arizona community, women reported facing a culmination of barriers to their health and well-being, and in response were networking to strengthen their own support systems. Data indicates that in the borderlands of southern Arizona, community members experience racism and discrimination in various forms including the quality of healthcare services, lack of culturally-informed care including deficits in ability to meet diverse linguistic needs, and inequitable access to needed health resources. Additionally, nonprofit organizations like Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) received numerous requests for assistance regarding these types of issues. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate types of systemic barriers faced, and networks of support that organically grew as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sought community-based recommendations to assist the leadership of YWCA Southern Arizona in building on existing strengths and community assets to improve policies, services, and partnerships that foster health and well-being. METHODS: To address Specific Aim 1, a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was implemented into an exploratory mixed-methods convergent study to identify systemic barriers faced and networks of support that developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through a quantitative survey (N=33), and through qualitative semi-structured interviews with YWCA community women and staff (N=18) and focus groups with YWCA community women (N=15). Data analysis, interpretation, and translation to recommendations for policy, services, and partnerships were completed for Specific Aim 2, which informed the development of assessment deliverables for the community partner, YWCA Southern Arizona. RESULTS: Study findings revealed that 60% of study participants have limited or no access to healthcare services, over half the women have experienced discrimination that contributes to the exclusion from needed resources, and 85% of participants report feeling stressed in day-to-day circumstances. Further, the most significant health concern reported by participants is the prevalent struggle with mental health. Participants also reported that the greatest promoter of health is community social support, and acknowledged high levels of resilience through individual and collective strengths. Study participants developed community-directed recommendations that informed four policy initiatives, three strategies to improve services, and three suggested approaches for enhanced partnerships to fortify the health and well-being of the community overall. An assessment report with these recommended proposals, supported by data, were presented to YWCA Southern Arizona leadership for consideration and implementation. CONCLUSION: YWCA Southern Arizona’s program model historically provides support and resources for women through their mission to eliminate racism and empower women. The organizational priorities align with best practices of improving the health and well-being of their community and actively listening to the lived experiences and expertise of the women they serve. The organizational leadership team has the potential to collaborate with the women in their community as they increase communication, establish improved policies, services, and partnerships, and build the YWCA Southern Arizona community’s growing health and well-being potential.