A Prospective Study of Mental Health, Well-Being, and Substance Use During the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Surge

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered everyday life worldwide, and some individuals may be at increased risk for pandemic-related distress. In a U.S. community sample ( N = 236, 64% female; 78% White; mean age = 30.3 years) assessed before COVID-19 and during the initial surge, we examined, prospectively, whether pandemic disruptions and a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were associated with changes in depressive symptoms, stress, sleep, relationship satisfaction, and substance use over time and with concurrent anxiety and peritraumatic distress. Negative pandemic-related events were associated with significantly higher depressive symptoms and stress and lower satisfaction over time as well as higher concurrent anxiety and peritraumatic distress. ACEs were associated with more negative pandemic-related events, which, in turn, associated with higher peripandemic depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety, and peritraumatic distress. Findings underscore that COVID-19 disruptions are associated with greater distress and that childhood trauma is a key axis of differential risk.