The unequal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on young adults' mental health
Author Information
Author(s): Harriet Reed, Ajay Thapar, Lucy Riglin, Stephan Collishaw, Christopher B. Eaton
Primary Institution: Cardiff University
Hypothesis
What factors predict changes in psychological distress and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in UK young adults?
Conclusion
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK young adult mental health is complex, with both increases in distress and improvements in wellbeing observed.
Supporting Evidence
- Being female and in relative poverty predicted greater increases in distress.
- Higher levels of parental education and greater perceived social support were protective against increased distress.
- Psychological distress and wellbeing scores increased across the study period.
Takeaway
This study looked at how young people's mental health changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that some groups were more affected than others.
Methodology
The study used latent change score models to analyze psychological distress and wellbeing across three timepoints.
Potential Biases
Participant drop-out may have led to underestimating the pandemic's impact on mental health.
Limitations
The study lacks a control group unaffected by the pandemic, making it difficult to determine if observed changes were due to the pandemic or normal developmental differences.
Participant Demographics
49.67% female, 20.86% in relative family poverty, 47.56% with high parental education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website