Longitudinal trajectories of mental health and loneliness for Australian adolescents with‐or‐without neurodevelopmental disorders: the impact of COVID‐19 school lockdowns

Abstract

Background The impact of COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic school lockdowns on the mental health problems and feelings of loneliness of adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is hypothesized to be greater than that of their non‐NDD peers. This two and a half year longitudinal study compared changes in the mental health and loneliness of Western Australian adolescents pre‐COVID‐19 (November 2018 and April 2019), immediately prior to COVID‐19 school lockdowns (March 2020), and post schools reopening (July/August 2020). Methods An age‐and‐gender matched sample of 476 adolescents with‐or‐without NDDs completed online assessments for mental health and loneliness. Results Adolescents with NDDs reported elevated levels of adverse mental health across all four waves of data collection. These young people experienced little change in mental health problems and feelings of loneliness over time, and any increase during school lockdowns returned to, or fell below pre‐COVID‐19 levels once schools reopened. In comparison, adolescents without NDDs experienced significant increases from a low baseline in depression symptoms, externalizing symptoms, feelings of isolation, and having a positive attitude to being alone, and evidenced a significant decline in positive mental wellbeing. Quality of friendships were unaffected by COVID‐19 school lockdowns for all adolescents regardless of NDD status. Of the adolescents with NDDs, those with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reported a significant increase in positive mental wellbeing following school lockdowns. Conclusions Adolescents with NDDs emerged relatively unscathed from COVID‐19 school lockdowns and the short term impacts associated with these were not maintained over time. These findings should be considered in the context of this study’s geographical location and the unpredictability of school lockdowns. Learning to live with school lockdowns into the future may be a critical element for further investigation in the context of interventions.

Mental-health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in adults with neurodevelopmental disorders

“…For those with ADHD and females with ASD, depressive symptoms are the lowest during the first COVID timepoint, when the UK was in strictest national lockdown, with schools and many workplaces closed and limitations in place on socialising and leaving the house. Similarly, a longitudinal study in Western Australia showed that children and adolescents with ADHD reported decreases in depression and increases in positive wellbeing between pre-COVID and school closures due to the pandemic (Houghton et al, 2022). Qualitative studies in adults and children with ADHD have reported some positives of lockdown, including the flexibility of managing schedules, and less exposure to negative feedback (Ando et al, 2021; Bobo et al, 2020).…”

Assessment of Loneliness During the Pandemic: Comparing Various Short Forms of the UCLA Loneliness Scale in South Africa Using Classical Test Theory and Mokken Analysis

“…Conversely, one study found no significant changes in loneliness during various phases of the pandemic [7]. Some studies have investigated the trajectory of loneliness during the pandemic [8,9]. Others have reported an increase in the prevalence of loneliness in the general population at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, with especially high rates among people under quarantine [10].…”

“…This might be due to several factors, including a decrease in compliance with social distancing and quarantine measures and an increase in the use of technology to connect with others [11,12]. Some studies focused on identifying sub-groups of the population that might be more susceptible to loneliness, including adolescents [8], the elderly [13], and university students [14], as well as the correlates of loneliness. Changes in the romantic status during the pandemic, loss of a significant other due to infection, young individuals, living alone, and pre-existing mental health problems are associated with the risk of loneliness [12].…”

Commentary: A longitudinal exploration of the effects of the COVID‐19 lockdowns for adolescents both with and without neurodevelopmental disorders – a reflection on Houghton et al. (2022)

“…Commentary: A longitudinal exploration of the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns for adolescents both with and without neurodevelopmental disorders -a reflection on Houghton et al (2022) Charlotte Field…”

“…relief of fewer social activities) aspects of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Houghton et al (2022) investigate these factors in a longitudinal study of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions in adolescents with and without NDD (both N = 238) in Western Australia.…”