Covid related distress and its impact on mental health a study based on early and late adolescents in Bangalore

•COVID 19 distress factors are significantly and positively correlated to depression symptoms and general anxiety levels of student.•Stress related to returning to school, distress at not being able to attend social events and the fear that a friend or family member would get infected or die from COVID were able to predict depression symptoms in adolescents.•Fear of catching COVID was significant in predicting the general anxiety levels among students.•COVID related distress factors were significant in predicting depression symptoms among school students or early adolescents.•COVID related distress factors were significant in predicting general anxiety levels of late adolescents or college students but not depressive symptoms. The closure of educational institutions and social distancing norms have impacted the life of adolescents. Forced to stay at home, limited interaction with friends and online schooling are some of the factors that have affected their lives. While some researchers believe that the true extent of the impact on the mental health of the adolescent is still not clear, others propose that the impact will only be observable in later stages of their life. In an attempt to understand the impact of the COVID related distress factors on the mental well being of adolescents, the current study collected data from 100 early adolescents and 100 late adolescents. The COVID related distress factors were measured through an instrument designed for the same, while mental well being was measured through depression symptoms and general anxiety levels. The finings of the study identify the particular distress factors that have a significant impact on the mental well-being of adolescents. The findings also identify the factors that are significant in predicting the mental well-being of each category, separately.