Differing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health: combined population and clinical study
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Published:2023-11
Issue:6
Volume:9
Page:
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ISSN:2056-4724
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Container-title:BJPsych Open
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language:en
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Short-container-title:BJPsych open
Author:
Qi LuORCID, Zhang Zuo, Robinson LaurenORCID, Bobou Marina, Gourlan Chantal, Winterer Jeanne, Adams Rebecca, Agunbiade Kofoworola, Zhang Yuning, King Sinead, Vaidya NilakshiORCID, Artiges Eric, Banaschewski TobiasORCID, Bokde Arun L. W., Broulidakis M. John, Brühl Rüdiger, Flor Herta, Fröhner Juliane H., Garavan Hugh, Grigis Antoine, Heinz Andreas, Hohmann Sarah, Martinot Marie-Laure Paillère, Millenet Sabina, Nees Frauke, van Noort Betteke Maria, Orfanos Dimitri Papadopoulos, Poustka Luise, Sinclair JuliaORCID, Smolka Michael N., Whelan Robert, Stringaris Argyris, Walter Henrik, Martinot Jean-LucORCID, Schumann GunterORCID, Schmidt Ulrike, Desrivières Sylvane,
Abstract
Background
Identifying youths most at risk to COVID-19-related mental illness is essential for the development of effective targeted interventions.
Aims
To compare trajectories of mental health throughout the pandemic in youth with and without prior mental illness and identify those most at risk of COVID-19-related mental illness.
Method
Data were collected from individuals aged 18–26 years (N = 669) from two existing cohorts: IMAGEN, a population-based cohort; and ESTRA/STRATIFY, clinical cohorts of individuals with pre-existing diagnoses of mental disorders. Repeated COVID-19 surveys and standardised mental health assessments were used to compare trajectories of mental health symptoms from before the pandemic through to the second lockdown.
Results
Mental health trajectories differed significantly between cohorts. In the population cohort, depression and eating disorder symptoms increased by 33.9% (95% CI 31.78–36.57) and 15.6% (95% CI 15.39–15.68) during the pandemic, respectively. By contrast, these remained high over time in the clinical cohort. Conversely, trajectories of alcohol misuse were similar in both cohorts, decreasing continuously (a 15.2% decrease) during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic symptom severity predicted the observed mental health trajectories in the population cohort. Surprisingly, being relatively healthy predicted increases in depression and eating disorder symptoms and in body mass index. By contrast, those initially at higher risk for depression or eating disorders reported a lasting decrease.
Conclusions
Healthier young people may be at greater risk of developing depressive or eating disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted mental health interventions considering prior diagnostic risk may be warranted to help young people cope with the challenges of psychosocial stress and reduce the associated healthcare burden.
Funder
NIH Clinical Center Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale National Institute on Aging Fondation de France HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council Horizon 2020 Framework Programme Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Medical Research Foundation European Union
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health
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