Objective: There has been concern regarding the mental health impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and subsequent public health interventions due to isolation, anxiety around the pandemic, and increased conflict in the home. The purpose of this study was to explore current rates of mental health problems, COVID-19 related stress, substance use, and violence at home among adolescents with comparisons across genders. Method: Participants (N = 809) from Canada were recruited via social media to complete an online survey. Participants (Mage = 15.67, SD = 1.37) identified as female (56.2%), male (38.7%), or trans/non-binary individuals (TNBI; 5.1%). Results: A large portion of adolescents met clinical cut-off for depression (51.2%), anxiety (40%) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (45%). High rates of ADHD, ODD, and social phobia symptoms (ranging from 9%-20%) were also reported. Adolescents were mainly concerned with the health of family members and vulnerable populations, as well as the increased family stress at home during COVID-19. Rates of substance use were higher than expected with over 50% of youth engaging in some form of substance use, and almost 20% engaging in regular substance use. Rates of experiencing and perpetrating psychological violence at home were higher than physical violence and were close to rates in high-risk populations. TNBI and females reported higher rates of mental health problems, and violence at home compared to males. Conclusions: Increased rates of mental health problems, substance use, and violence in the home necessitate targeted supports that encourage positive coping amidst the additional stresses of COVID-19.

To mitigate the burden of COVID-19 on healthcare systems and to reduce infections and associated deaths, public health measures including physical distancing and mask-wearing have been recommended. We know little regarding important predictors of adherence and motivation to engage in public guidelines among at-risk populations, such as adolescents. Objectives. The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in adherence to public health measures across provinces, and to examine developmental differences in both adherence and motivations to engage in public health among adolescents and adults across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Participants from two samples, including adolescents (N=788, 56.7% female, M=15.68, SD=1.36) and adults (N=578, 94.6% female; M=45.12, SD=5.83) completed online quesionnaires during the summer 2020. Results. Both adolescents and adults in provinces mandating masks were more likely to wear a mask. There were no provincial differences in adherence to social distancing. Adolescents were more likely to be motivated by social reasons, while adults were motivated by social responsibility. For both adults and adoeslcents, social responsibility was associated with more adherence to public health measures, while social concerns(e.g., maintaining social ties, social judgment) was associated with less adherence. Conclusion. Adherence to public health measures was mixed, with most participants reporting socializing in-person with people outside of their home. At the time of the survey, provincial mask mandates were associated with more mask-wearing. Results also suggest social responsibility was the main predictor of increased adherence to public health measures.

Some have argued that a return to in-person schooling is critical for improved mental health. However, to date, there is little to no data available on whether attending school in-person, online, or in a hybrid model may be associated with different rates of psychiatric problems among youth. The purpose of this study was to examine whether rates of psychiatric problems are differentially represented in Canadian youth attending school in-person, entirely online, or in a hybrid model. Adolescents (N=601; 50.1% female, 70.4% White, Mage=15.74, SD=1.45) were recruited via social media. While controlling for age, gender, province and number of weeks since the beginning of the pandemic, there was no statistical difference between school modalities on psychiatric symptoms. Our results did not identify a relationship between school modality and psychiatric concern, suggesting that youth mental health has been broadly and negatively impacted by the pandemic independent of the way youth attend school.