Longitudinal effects of COVID‐19‐related stressors on young adults' mental health and wellbeing

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic has presented young adults with novel challenges and disruptions to several life domains. The current study examined how COVID‐19‐related stressors (i.e., job‐related, financial‐related, social/relational, and illness‐related stressors) relate to young adults' symptoms of depression and anxiety, and satisfaction with life (in the US). In Aim 1, we examined associations between COVID‐19‐related stressors and indices of mental health and well‐being in the initial phase of the pandemic (April/May 2020) while accounting for participants' pre‐pandemic levels of these outcomes in January of 2020 (N = 519; Mage = 25.4; 62.8% women). Social/relational stressors were most strongly associated with increased symptoms of anxiety/depression, and financial stressors were most strongly associated with decreased satisfaction with life. Extending this research longitudinally (Aim 2), we sampled young adults bi‐monthly across a year‐long period (September 2020 to August 2021). Multilevel models revealed within‐person associations between each stressor domain and mental health/well‐being; young adults reported more symptoms of depression/anxiety and lower satisfaction with life in months that stressors were relatively more salient. Interactions between stressors and time revealed associations were generally stronger in earlier months and decreased linearly across the pandemic. Taken together, longitudinal evidence indicates that COVID‐19‐related stressors, especially social/relational stressors, have direct and time‐varying associations with mental health and well‐being.

The Rising of the Shield Hero. Development of the Post-Traumatic Symptom Questionnaire (PTSQ) and Assessment of the Protective Effect of Self-Esteem from Trauma-Related Anxiety and Depression

“…Indeed, in the last two years, scientific research has highlighted that in the emerging adulthood individuals present heightened levels of psychological difficulties, including symptoms of distress, anxiety, and depression (Panzeri et al, 2021 ; Parola et al, 2020 ). Importantly, emerging adulthood may expose to a higher risk of developing psychological issues because individuals in this part of the lifespan go through a process of individualization, structuring self-esteem, and personal growth (van den Berg et al, 2021 ) – in which they progressively rediscuss and strengthen their role in the society, relationships, and the professional field (Graupensperger et al, 2022 ). Thus, the trauma associated with the pandemic situation and its limitations may have disrupted this process, hence hindering the possibility to fulfill personal, professional, and relational wills (Cao et al, 2020 ; Cheng et al, 2014 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ).…”

Change in college student health and well-being profiles as a function of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Somewhat consistent with previous research [ 15 , 35 ], we found significant increases in some reports of depressive symptoms, reductions in substance use, reductions in physical and sexual activity, and reductions in food insecurity ( Table 1 ). In concert with prior work examining changes in perceived norms and motivations for use [ 36 ]–particularly increases in using substances to cope [ 37 ]–it is clear that psychosocial risk factors for and prevalence of health behaviors have evolved across the pandemic. A critical contribution of the current study was the use of LCA to consider a broad set of indicators of health and well-being simultaneously, at each timepoint, and examine change over time.…”

“…Taking the broader student experiences into consideration can inform more efficient, tailored supports for college students that meet them where they are, with the services that they need. These findings are particularly salient in light of emerging longitudinal evidence findings that the effects of COVID-19 have direct and enduring impacts on mental health and well-being (e.g., [ 36 ]).…”

Slovak parents’ mental health and socioeconomic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…On the contrary, COVID-related stress increased over time, with its peak being observed in the third wave of data collection (late 2021). Stressors, their intensity as well as their qualitative aspects have changed during the pandemic (see ( 76 , 77 ), and a fluctuation of stress related to the pandemic is thus natural ( 78 ). Consequently, there is a possibility of an interplay between COVID-related stress and COVID-related anxiety.…”