The Mental Well-Being of Canadian Young Adults Versus Older Adults Before, During, and After Covid-19’s First Wave: Do Sociodemographic Characteristics Matter?

Abstract

Using a series of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys, this study shows that younger Canadian adults (aged 18–34) rated their own mental health positively (as “very good” or “excellent”) less often than older adults (i.e., 35+), both before and during the pandemic. Also, younger adults’ positive mental health ratings declined particularly sharply following the onset of the pandemic, with declines of more than 25 percent between the pre-pandemic (60.9% [95% CI 59.3-62.4]), and the pandemic (e.g., 43.8% [95% CI 38.7-49.0]) periods. Young adult women appeared particularly vulnerable, but immigrant youth showed signs of resilience.