Literature Review: Effects of COVID-19 on Adolescent Mental Health
Abstract
This literature review examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of adolescents and college students, based on three scholarly articles. These studies reveal the psychological challenges triggered by the global health crisis. The study by Lee et al. (2021) provides a comprehensive examination of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the mental health of U.S. college students. Researchers found alarming increases in anxiety, depression, and stress levels. Employing an online survey methodology, the authors not only established a correlation between the pandemic and deteriorating mental health, but also pinpointed key contributing factors, such as financial stress, the shift to virtual learning, social isolation, and concern for family members’ health. In addition, they identified certain subgroups of students, including those with pre-existing mental health conditions and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, as being at an elevated risk. This geographical focus on U.S. college students was complemented by the second study from Guo et al. (2021), which explored mental health outcomes among undergraduate students in Shaanxi province, China. Guo’s study concentrated on the protective role of social support against negative mental health impacts. Finally, Temple et al. (2022) shifted the demographic focus from college students to adolescents in general. This study, which employed a longitudinal design with data collected before and during the pandemic, revealed an increase in both mental health issues and substance use among adolescents. Despite their different focus areas and methodologies, these three studies agree that the pandemic has had a significant impact on young people’s mental health.
Introduction
The global COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in unprecedented challenges, one of the most concerning being its impact on mental health. Among the most affected are college students and adolescents, who, under normal circumstances, navigate complex emotional, social, and academic pressures. The pandemic has exacerbated these pressures by inducing abrupt changes to their lifestyle, learning environment, and social interactions. This public health crisis’s psychological impact is significant and multifaceted, warranting a comprehensive examination to guide effective interventions and strategies. Given the pandemic’s enduring nature and the ongoing mental health crisis, investigating its impact on these specific demographic groups, college students and adolescents, is very important. Since these populations are in their formative years, they are particularly vulnerable to stressors, and their experiences can have lasting effects on their future mental health. Therefore, a thorough exploration of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their mental health could potentially lead to improved strategies for mitigating adverse outcomes. By synthesizing the current research, this literature review provides an in-depth understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic’s mental health effects on college students and adolescents. The articles selected for this review were chosen to provide a balanced perspective on the issue. The selected articles specifically address the mental health effects of the pandemic on U.S. college students and adolescents. Through this, it aims to identify common themes, differences, and gaps in the current knowledge base. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of college students and adolescents, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions tailored to these groups’ unique needs and circumstances.
The Pandemic’s Impact on Youth Mental Health and Substance Use
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an essential aspect of understanding its overall psychological impact is analyzing the effects it has had on the mental health of college students. There has been a significant rise in anxiety, depression, and stress levels, pointing to a broad negative effect on these students’ mental health (Lee et al. 2021). Various factors contribute to an individual’s heightened vulnerability to mental health issues during this time. Among these were financial stress, a factor that is especially relevant to college students, many of whom are beginning to navigate financial independence for the first time. It is important to consider the effects of online learning, a significant shift from the conventional face-to-face mode of learning, which came with its own set of challenges and stressors. The social isolation resulting from campus closures and restrictions on gatherings is another factor that exacerbates mental health problems among these students.
Shifting the lens from college students to adolescents, a demographic marked by rapid developmental changes and distinctive mental health and behavioral challenges, allows researchers to gain valuable insights into the pandemic’s effects on adolescent mental health and substance use. It has been found that the pandemic led to increased rates of mental health issues among adolescents. This aligns with the previous findings of mental health issues among college students, suggesting that these issues permeate across different stages of youth and in different ways. There is evidence of increased substance use among adolescents during the pandemic (Lee et al. 2021, Temple et al. 2022).The connection between mental health issues and substance use is well-documented in the literature, and the stress and anxiety triggered by the pandemic could explain the rise in substance use as a coping mechanism. This finding highlights an additional layer of complexity in the impact of the pandemic on youth mental health and signals the need for interventions that not only address mental health issues but also target risky behaviors such as substance use.
Role of Social Support in Mitigating Mental Health Outcomes
The importance of social support systems in mitigating mental health outcomes, particularly during times of crisis, cannot be emphasized enough. A study conducted on undergraduate students in Shaanxi province, China, explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of social support as a buffer against mental health issues, highlighting the necessity for robust and accessible social support networks (Guo et al. 2021). Three of the most commonly reported mental health issues experienced by students during the pandemic were depression, anxiety, and stress. Researchers found a strong correlation between social support and the mental health outcomes of the students surveyed. Students who reported higher levels of social support tended to experience lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, suggesting that social support indeed served as a protective factor against poor mental health outcomes during the pandemic (Guo et al. 2021). This finding is especially relevant given the broader social and cultural context. The culture of collectivism in China, where social relationships and networks hold significant value, could have potentially influenced these results. In other words, the researchers suggest that social support might be even more critical in cultures where interpersonal relationships are highly valued. Academic institutions and other social entities must take a larger role in promoting mental well-being during crisis times. By creating and fostering an environment that encourages social interaction and support, these institutions can significantly mitigate the adverse mental health effects caused by crises such as a pandemic. Social support can act as a crucial coping mechanism during a crisis, highlighting the need for strategies and interventions that leverage social networks for mental health support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and multi-faceted impact on the mental health of young people, particularly college students and adolescents. The three studies reviewed offer distinct but interlinked perspectives on this issue, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the pandemic’s mental health consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted young people’s mental health, with an apparent increase in symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use; factors such as social support and certain demographic characteristics play crucial roles in these outcomes. Lee et al. (2021) clarified the pandemic’s direct impact on college students in the U.S., demonstrating the significant increase in mental health issues in this population and highlighting key contributing factors. Guo et al. (2021) expanded on this theme in the Chinese context, illustrating the mitigating role of social support in managing negative mental health outcomes, emphasizing the need for effective social support systems and interventions. Lastly, Temple et al. (2022) widened the focus to include adolescents, demonstrating not only a surge in mental health issues but also an increase in substance use during the pandemic. These studies reveal the scope of the problem across different populations and geographical regions while also highlighting potential mitigating factors and intervention opportunities. However, more research is needed to establish causality and determine the best strategies for supporting mental health in different demographics. Overall, addressing mental health issues among young people in the context of global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic is of critical importance.
Works Cited
Guo K, Zhang X, Bai S, Minhat HS, Nazan AI, Feng J. 2021. Assessing social support impact on depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students in Shaanxi province during the COVID-19 pandemic of China. PloS one. 16(7):e0253891.
Lee J, Solomon M, Stead T, Kwon B, Ganti L. 2021. Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of US college students. BMC Psychology. 9(1).
Temple, J. R., Baumler, E., Wood, L., Guillot-Wright, S., Torres, E., & Thiel, M. (2022). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use. J Adolesc Health, 71(3), 277–284.
