COVID-19 May Affect Adolescents Mental Health

Jan, 2021 - By WMR

According to the new research, the novel coronavirus may have indirect adverse effects on the mental and physical health of children.

The world has been fighting a global pandemic for the past six months and the virus has made its way to almost every corner of the world. The novel coronavirus is heavily affecting the global population. To date, the virus has infected more than 27 million individuals and killed more than 902,375 people across the globe. Older adults and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes) seem to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the infection. Though all age groups are at high risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, children and young individuals seem to have a lower risk compared to older individuals.

Now, according to the new research, the virus may have indirect adverse effects on the mental health of children. The research team from the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute has indicated the extent coronavirus has psychologically affected adolescents in Australia. The research was published in the pre-print server medRxiv. During this research, the researchers examined around 700 teen-agers aged 12 to 18 years and revealed high rates of psychological distress, compared with pre-pandemic rates, and negative impacts on learning, family relationships, and friendships.

A significant proportion experienced less exercise and higher levels of uncertainty about sleep difficulties, the future, and a lower sense of well-being. According to the team, negative mental health effects were worse among teen-agers who had already experienced depression or anxiety than those who did not. Moreover, the researchers suggest that longitudinal research is needed to assess the ongoing effects of the global pandemic on teen-agers and the need for intervention to support youth through this disruptive time. The research indicates that adolescents are experiencing high levels of psychological distress as a result of the current pandemic.