Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence 1/2021

27-10-2020 | Empirical Research

Risk and Protective Factors for Prospective Changes in Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Auteurs: Natasha R. Magson, Justin Y. A. Freeman, Ronald M. Rapee, Cele E. Richardson, Ella L. Oar, Jasmine Fardouly

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence | Uitgave 1/2021

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

The restrictions put in place to contain the COVID-19 virus have led to widespread social isolation, impacting mental health worldwide. These restrictions may be particularly difficult for adolescents, who rely heavily on their peer connections for emotional support. However, there has been no longitudinal research examining the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents’ mental health, and moderators of change, as well as assessing the factors perceived as causing the most distress. Two hundred and forty eight adolescents (Mage = 14.4; 51% girls; 81.8% Caucasian) were surveyed over two time points; in the 12 months leading up to the COVID-19 outbreak (T1), and again two months following the implementation of government restrictions and online learning (T2). Online surveys assessed depressive symptoms, anxiety, and life satisfaction at T1 and T2, and participants’ schooling, peer and family relationships, social connection, media exposure, COVID-19 related stress, and adherence to government stay-at-home directives at T2 only. In line with predictions, adolescents experienced significant increases in depressive symptoms and anxiety, and a significant decrease in life satisfaction from T1 to T2, which was particularly pronounced among girls. Moderation analyses revealed that COVID-19 related worries, online learning difficulties, and increased conflict with parents predicted increases in mental health problems from T1 to T2, whereas adherence to stay-at-home orders and feeling socially connected during the COVID-19 lockdown protected against poor mental health. This study provides initial longitudinal evidence for the decline of adolescent’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that adolescents are more concerned about the government restrictions designed to contain the spread of the virus, than the virus itself, and that those concerns are associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, and decreased life satisfaction.
Literatuur
go back to reference Angold, A., Costello, E. J., & Messer, S. C. (1995). Development of a short questionnaire for use in epidemiological studies of depression in children and adolescents. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 5, 237–249. Angold, A., Costello, E. J., & Messer, S. C. (1995). Development of a short questionnaire for use in epidemiological studies of depression in children and adolescents. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 5, 237–249.
go back to reference Bailen, N. H., Green, L. M., & Thompson, R. J. (2019). Understanding emotion in adolescents: a review of emotional frequency, intensity, instability, and clarity. Emotion Review, 11(1), 63–73.CrossRef Bailen, N. H., Green, L. M., & Thompson, R. J. (2019). Understanding emotion in adolescents: a review of emotional frequency, intensity, instability, and clarity. Emotion Review, 11(1), 63–73.CrossRef
go back to reference Connell, J. P., & Wellborn, J. G. (1991). Competence, autonomy, and relatedness: a motivational analysis of self-system processes. In Self processes and development. (pp. 43–77). Hillsdale, NJ, US: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Connell, J. P., & Wellborn, J. G. (1991). Competence, autonomy, and relatedness: a motivational analysis of self-system processes. In Self processes and development. (pp. 43–77). Hillsdale, NJ, US: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
go back to reference Ellis, W. E., Dumas, T. M., & Forbes, L. M. (2020). Physically isolated but socially connected: psychological adjustment and stress among adolescents during the initial COVID-19 crisis. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue Canadienne des Sciences du Comportement, 52(3), 177.CrossRef Ellis, W. E., Dumas, T. M., & Forbes, L. M. (2020). Physically isolated but socially connected: psychological adjustment and stress among adolescents during the initial COVID-19 crisis. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue Canadienne des Sciences du Comportement, 52(3), 177.CrossRef
go back to reference Ellis, W. E., & Zarbatany, L. (2017). Understanding processes of peer clique influence in late childhood and early adolescence. Child Development Perspectives, 11(4), 227–232.CrossRef Ellis, W. E., & Zarbatany, L. (2017). Understanding processes of peer clique influence in late childhood and early adolescence. Child Development Perspectives, 11(4), 227–232.CrossRef
go back to reference Goldbeck, L., Schmitz, T. G., Besier, T., Herschbach, P., & Henrich, G. (2007). Life satisfaction decreases during adolescence. Quality of Life Research, 16(6), 969–979.CrossRef Goldbeck, L., Schmitz, T. G., Besier, T., Herschbach, P., & Henrich, G. (2007). Life satisfaction decreases during adolescence. Quality of Life Research, 16(6), 969–979.CrossRef
go back to reference Gravetter, F., Wallnau, L., Forzano, L., & Witnauer, J. (2020). Essentials of statistics for the behavioral sciences (10 ed.). New York: Cengage Learning. Gravetter, F., Wallnau, L., Forzano, L., & Witnauer, J. (2020). Essentials of statistics for the behavioral sciences (10 ed.). New York: Cengage Learning.
go back to reference Hawke, L. D., Barbic, S. P., Voineskos, A., Szatmari, P., Cleverley, K., Hayes, E., … Cheung, A. (2020). Impacts of COVID-19 on Youth Mental Health, Substance Use, and Well-being: A Rapid Survey of Clinical and Community Samples. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(10), 701–709. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743720940562. Hawke, L. D., Barbic, S. P., Voineskos, A., Szatmari, P., Cleverley, K., Hayes, E., … Cheung, A. (2020). Impacts of COVID-19 on Youth Mental Health, Substance Use, and Well-being: A Rapid Survey of Clinical and Community Samples. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(10), 701–709. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1177/​0706743720940562​.
go back to reference Huebner, E. S. (1994). Preliminary development and validation of a multidimensional life satisfaction scale for children. Psychological Assessment, 6(2), 149.CrossRef Huebner, E. S. (1994). Preliminary development and validation of a multidimensional life satisfaction scale for children. Psychological Assessment, 6(2), 149.CrossRef
go back to reference IBM Corp. (2019). IBM SPSS statistics software: SPSS statistics V26. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. IBM Corp. (2019). IBM SPSS statistics software: SPSS statistics V26. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
go back to reference Judd, C. M., Kenny, D. A., & McClelland, G. H. (2001). Estimating and testing mediation and moderation in within-subject designs. Psychological Methods, 6(2), 115.CrossRef Judd, C. M., Kenny, D. A., & McClelland, G. H. (2001). Estimating and testing mediation and moderation in within-subject designs. Psychological Methods, 6(2), 115.CrossRef
go back to reference Lee, R. M., & Robbins, S. B. (1995). Measuring belongingness: the social connectedness and the social assurance scales. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42(2), 232.CrossRef Lee, R. M., & Robbins, S. B. (1995). Measuring belongingness: the social connectedness and the social assurance scales. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42(2), 232.CrossRef
go back to reference Loades, M. E., Chatburn, E., Higson-Sweeney, N., Reynolds, S., Shafran, R., Brigden, A., & Crawley, E. (2020). Rapid systematic review: the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of children and adolescents in the context of COVID-19. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, S0890-8567(0820), 30337–30333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.009.CrossRef Loades, M. E., Chatburn, E., Higson-Sweeney, N., Reynolds, S., Shafran, R., Brigden, A., & Crawley, E. (2020). Rapid systematic review: the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of children and adolescents in the context of COVID-19. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, S0890-8567(0820), 30337–30333. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​jaac.​2020.​05.​009.CrossRef
go back to reference Meuwese, R., Cillessen, A. H. N., & Güroğlu, B. (2017). Friends in high places: a dyadic perspective on peer status as predictor of friendship quality and the mediating role of empathy and prosocial behavior. Social Development, 26(3), 503–519. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12213.CrossRef Meuwese, R., Cillessen, A. H. N., & Güroğlu, B. (2017). Friends in high places: a dyadic perspective on peer status as predictor of friendship quality and the mediating role of empathy and prosocial behavior. Social Development, 26(3), 503–519. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​sode.​12213.CrossRef
go back to reference Montoya, A. K., & Hayes, A. F. (2017). Two-condition within-participant statistical mediation analysis: a path-analytic framework. Psychological Methods, 22(1), 6.CrossRef Montoya, A. K., & Hayes, A. F. (2017). Two-condition within-participant statistical mediation analysis: a path-analytic framework. Psychological Methods, 22(1), 6.CrossRef
go back to reference Pappa, S., Ntella, V., Giannakas, T., Giannakoulis, V. G., Papoutsi, E., & Katsaounou, P. (2020). Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 88, 901–907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.026. Pappa, S., Ntella, V., Giannakas, T., Giannakoulis, V. G., Papoutsi, E., & Katsaounou, P. (2020). Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 88, 901–907. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​bbi.​2020.​05.​026.
go back to reference Richardson, C. E., Magson, N. R., Fardouly, J., Oar, E. L., Forbes, M. K., Johnco, C. J., & Rapee, R. M. (2020). Longitudinal associations between coping strategies and psychopathology in pre-adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. (in press). Richardson, C. E., Magson, N. R., Fardouly, J., Oar, E. L., Forbes, M. K., Johnco, C. J., & Rapee, R. M. (2020). Longitudinal associations between coping strategies and psychopathology in pre-adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. (in press).
go back to reference Rose, A. J., & Rudolph, K. D. (2006). A review of sex differences in peer relationship processes: potential trade-offs for the emotional and behavioral development of girls and boys. Psychological Bulletin, 132(1), 98.CrossRef Rose, A. J., & Rudolph, K. D. (2006). A review of sex differences in peer relationship processes: potential trade-offs for the emotional and behavioral development of girls and boys. Psychological Bulletin, 132(1), 98.CrossRef
go back to reference Somerville, L. H. (2013). The teenage brain: sensitivity to social evaluation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(2), 121–127.CrossRef Somerville, L. H. (2013). The teenage brain: sensitivity to social evaluation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(2), 121–127.CrossRef
go back to reference Somerville, L. H., Jones, R. M., & Casey, B. (2010). A time of change: behavioral and neural correlates of adolescent sensitivity to appetitive and aversive environmental cues. Brain and Cognition, 72(1), 124–133.CrossRef Somerville, L. H., Jones, R. M., & Casey, B. (2010). A time of change: behavioral and neural correlates of adolescent sensitivity to appetitive and aversive environmental cues. Brain and Cognition, 72(1), 124–133.CrossRef
go back to reference Spence, S. H. (1998). A measure of anxiety symptoms among children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36(5), 545–566.CrossRef Spence, S. H. (1998). A measure of anxiety symptoms among children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36(5), 545–566.CrossRef
go back to reference Wang, C., Pan, R., Wan, X., Tan, Y., Xu, L., Ho, C. S., & Ho, R. C. (2020). Immediate psychological responses and associated factors during the initial stage of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic among the general population in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1729.CrossRef Wang, C., Pan, R., Wan, X., Tan, Y., Xu, L., Ho, C. S., & Ho, R. C. (2020). Immediate psychological responses and associated factors during the initial stage of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic among the general population in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1729.CrossRef
go back to reference Wang, C., Pan, R., Wan, X., Tan, Y., Xu, L., McIntyre, R. S., … Sharma, V. K. (2020). A longitudinal study on the mental health of general population during the COVID-19 epidemic in China. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. Wang, C., Pan, R., Wan, X., Tan, Y., Xu, L., McIntyre, R. S., … Sharma, V. K. (2020). A longitudinal study on the mental health of general population during the COVID-19 epidemic in China. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
Metagegevens
Titel
Risk and Protective Factors for Prospective Changes in Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Auteurs
Natasha R. Magson
Justin Y. A. Freeman
Ronald M. Rapee
Cele E. Richardson
Ella L. Oar
Jasmine Fardouly
Publicatiedatum
27-10-2020
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Youth and Adolescence / Uitgave 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0047-2891
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01332-9

Andere artikelen Uitgave 1/2021

Journal of Youth and Adolescence 1/2021 Naar de uitgave