The Mental Health Implications of COVID-19 for Adolescents: Follow-Up of a Four-Wave Longitudinal Study During the Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic due to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While scientists have moved quickly to study the physical health implications of the disease, less attention has been paid to the negative mental health repercussions. The current study utilized a community sample of adolescents who had recently completed a 2-year, four wave study of adolescent mental health (Wave 1 n = 184, Mage = 13.9 years; 50.3% female). Participants were recontacted to assess their anxiety, depression, and emotion dysregulation symptoms during the pandemic. Latent growth modeling based on four pre-COVID time points indicated the extent to which the fifth (COVID) time point deviated from trend expectations. Results showed that (a) anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher than previous trajectories would have predicted, and (b) deviations from personal trajectories were associated with higher levels of perceived lifestyle impact due to the pandemic. Furthermore, gender-based analyses revealed that financial impacts, lifestyle impacts, and coronavirus fear were differentially associated with symptom increases for male and female participants. The current study is among the first to report that adolescent mental health trajectories have been altered in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As physical distancing and other safety precautions may be required for several years, it is essential that we gain a deep understanding of how prevention efforts are associated with significant disruptions to youth mental health to bolster youth resilience during these unprecedented times. Public Significance StatementThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had unprecedented impacts on physical health around the globe. However, the current study uses longitudinal data to show that the pandemic, and the subsequent shutdown efforts, are also having significant impacts on the mental health of adolescents. By identifying specific elements of the societal shutdown that are most associated with changes in mental health trajectories over time, we hope to encourage the development of social capital that can assist youth in fostering resilience in the face of these stressors.