Social Inequalities in Young People's Mental Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Do Psychosocial Resource Factors Matter?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected young people aged 16–25 years and has brought about a major increase in mental health problems. Although there is persisting evidence regarding SES differences in mental health status, there is still little knowledge of the processes linking SES to young people's mental health, in particular during the current pandemic. Guided by a stress process model this study examines the role of different psychosocial resource factors in mitigating the vulnerability to mental distress among disadvantaged young people and specifies a range of possible mediating pathways. The research draws on a nationally representative longitudinal sample of 16–25 year-olds who participated in the Youth Economic Activity and Health (YEAH) online survey conducted in the UK between February and October 2021. Mental health was measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist for anxiety and depression. Socio-economic disadvantage was indicated by parental education and receipt of free school meals. Experience of stress was indicated by financial strain. Psychosocial resource factors included indicators of optimism, self-efficacy, and social support. We controlled for age, gender, living arrangements, and economic activity of the young person (being in education, employment or NEET). The findings suggest sequential mediating processes where SES influences are partially mediated via financial strain and the psychosocial resource factors. In addition, the psychosocial resource factors showed independent effects supporting mental health in the face of socio-economic adversity. Moreover, social support played a significant role in boosting self-efficacy and optimism, which in turn reduce mental distress. The findings highlighting the importance of specifying the assumed mediating processes, and to consider multiple resource factors instead of single aspects to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the processes linking SES to young people's mental health.

Immunosuppressed children and young people, psychosocial wellbeing, and the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Research conducted in the last 2 years however has indicated that these existing income inequalities have ampli ed [26]. Further research is needed to specify the association between low household income and CYP psychosocial wellbeing, especially since recent ndings indicate that mediating processes in uence this association [27].…”

Geographic, Socio-Demographic and School Type Variation in Adolescent Wellbeing and Mental Health and Links with Academic Competence in the United Arab Emirates

“…Research exploring geographic variation in adolescent wellbeing and mental health has grown in recent years. Although there is a large number of studies investigating within-country variation (i.e., Islam et al, 2021 ; Schoon & Henseke, 2022 ; Van Phan and O’Brien, 2019 ), most research in this area focuses on cross-national differences. Evidence from cross-national studies indicate substantial variation across socio-cultural contexts and languages (Campbell et al, 2021 ; Marquez & Main, 2020 ; Rees et al, 2015 ).…”

Family satisfaction and self-efficacy among low-income adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative analysis of parents' educational attainment

“…Only two studies were located that examined the relationship between self-efficacy and parental educational attainment during adolescence and young adulthood in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; none were located looking at adolescents only ( 17 , 18 ). First, general self-efficacy was not significantly associated with parental education in a sample of 16–25-year-olds in the U.K. in a survey collected from February to October 2021 ( 18 ).…”

“…Only two studies were located that examined the relationship between self-efficacy and parental educational attainment during adolescence and young adulthood in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; none were located looking at adolescents only ( 17 , 18 ). First, general self-efficacy was not significantly associated with parental education in a sample of 16–25-year-olds in the U.K. in a survey collected from February to October 2021 ( 18 ). Second, researchers surveyed university students in December 2020, after the students returned to campus, and the authors found that parental education predicted students' perceived self-efficacy to prevent COVID-19 infection ( 17 ).…”

“…Individuals who are satisfied with their family members may be more likely to have higher self-efficacy based on emotional communication and support ( 16 , 19 , 20 ). Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, family relationship quality and satisfaction may have been negatively affected by restrictions and stressors related to the pandemic ( 18 , 28 ). Parents' educational attainment may also influence the relationship between family satisfaction and self-efficacy as higher education is helpful for communication skills, helping children with their own educational needs, and providing access to additional sources of knowledge and information ( 29 , 30 ).…”