Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Mental Health in Youth and Vulnerable Populations: An Extensive Narrative Review

Abstract

The objective of this narrative review is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of particularly vulnerable groups. This information will allow a better understanding of the determining factors that influence the appearance and/or maintenance of mood disorders. To achieve the main objective of this study, a critical review was carried out in which primary sources such as scientific articles, secondary sources such as databases, and other appropriate reference indexes were considered. The results indicated that there was an increase in the diagnosis of mood disorders and the use of medication associated with these disorders, mainly during the period of reclusion that was declared worldwide in March 2020. In addition, risk factors such as loneliness, a lack of resilience, and a lack of adequate coping strategies negatively impacted these groups. The future consequences of this may be reflected over many years thereafter, and it is important that all data obtained from this point forward be considered by mental health professionals and the general population. This review can be a starting point for looking directly at the most vulnerable populations and considering both the resources available to them and the possible aftermath of a traumatic period in everyone’s lives.

Depressive Symptoms among Slovenian Female Tertiary Students before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Two Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys in 2020 and 2021

“…Nonetheless, there is a paucity of evidence on Slovenian young people's pre-and during-COVID-19 pandemic longitudinal and cross-sectional changes in mental health outcomes, including among at-risk groups, such as students and young females. However, research elsewhere shows that mood disorders substantially and significantly increased across all continents from pre-to mid-pandemic in various age groups [29]. Our findings are consistent with other homogenous studies of young adults.…”

“…Although young people, especially students, may be most susceptible to the negative mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic [29], another population at risk is females [22,23], for several reasons. First, females are generally a particularly at-risk group for poor mental health outcomes [30], including depression [31], especially between the ages of 15 and 25 [32].…”

“…Being in a student role increases one's vulnerability, given that students encounter distinctive worries linked to COVID-19, including sudden changes in their academic pursuits, transitioning to digital online learning, having uncertain employ-ment, and experiencing job loss amid the pandemic [40]. This makes them more likely to experience psychological distress during crises and disruption; for example, during pandemic restrictions, which resulted in their decreased social contacts, interactions and social support [29,[41][42][43][44]. In sum, given the evidence that past or current mental health conditions accentuate the negative mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis [4], young female students may be especially vulnerable to the deleterious long-term consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak and accompanying public health measures [34].…”

Gut Microbial Metabolome and Dysbiosis in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Psychobiotics and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as a Therapeutic Approach—A Comprehensive Narrative Review

“…The authors meticulously revised the titles and abstracts of all the articles consulted. Exclusion criteria were applied according to procedures of previous reviews [13][14][15]: (i) studies outside the period analyzed, (ii) topics presented outside the scope of the review, and (iii) books, conference proceedings, doctoral theses, and abstracts. All studies that complied with scientific methodological standards and relevant information from the subsections of the present review were used.…”

Perceived urban green spaces and youth mental health in the post-COVID-19 era

“…Although visiting UGSs could be considered an effective way to improve mental health ( 44 , 45 ), during COVID-19, using UGSs has been associated with problems. In this period, social networks and communication channels gave people quick access to the news, provoking fear of this disease, hopelessness, and uncertainty ( 14 ). During the pandemic, people worldwide experienced many fears related to COVID-19, including the fear of being in urban public spaces.…”