Social isolation, mental health, and use of digital interventions in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative survey

Abstract

<p>Background: Public health measures to curb SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates may have negative psychosocial consequences in youth. Digital interventions may help to mitigate these effects. We aimed to investigate the associations between social isolation, COVID-19-related worries/anxieties, objective social risk indicators, psychological distress and use of digital mobile health (mHealth) interventions in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data were collected as part of the “Health And Innovation During COVID-19 Survey” —a cross-sectional panel study including a representative sample of individuals aged 16 to 25 years (N=666; Mage 21·3) (assessment period: 07.05.-16.05.2020). Data were collected on social isolation, COVID-19-related worries/anxieties, objective social risk indicators, psychological distress as well as the current use of and attitude towards digital interventions.Outcomes: Social isolation, lack of company, worrying, and objective social risk indicators were associated with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dose-response relationships were found. For instance, psychological distress was progressively more likely to occur as levels of reported social isolation increased (with reporting ‘never’ as reference group: ‘very rarely’: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2·4,CI 1·0 – 5·7, p=0·041; ‘rarely’: aOR 3·6, CI 1·7 – 7·7, p=0·001; ‘occasionally’: aOR 8·4, CI 4·0 – 17·5, p&amp;lt;0·001; ‘often’: aOR 20·6, CI 9·3 – 45·7, p&amp;lt;0·001;’very often’: aOR 43·4, CI 14·7 – 128·2, p&amp;lt;0·001). There was evidence that psychological distress, and high levels of social isolation, lack of company, and worrying were associated with a positive attitude towards using digital interventions, whereas only severe levels of psychological distress and worries were associated with actual use (aOR 2·0, CI 1·3 - 3·0, p=0·001; aOR 1·6, CI 1·1 – 2·2, p=0·005, respectively).Interpretation: Public health measures during pandemics may be associated with social isolation and poor mental health outcomes in youth. Digital interventions may help mitigate the negative psychosocial impact without risk for viral infection given there is an objective need and subjective demand.</p>

Increased Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Unemployment in the Spread of COVID-19 over 6 Months in Germany

“…An inclusive response to and recovery from COVID-19 requires an integrated longitudinal approach to anticipate the impact across different target groups. The use of mobile digital health interventions, such as mobile health (mHealth) tools, is one possible solution to deliver the objective to mitigate negative psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 33 ]. Virtual reality exercise has also been used in mental health and wellness promotion [ 48 ].…”

“…A recent study shows that daily loneliness in Germany increased during the first two weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown starting from 16 March 2020 but decreased thereafter during the third and fourth weeks of the lockdown until 12 April 2020 [ 32 ]. Psychological distress in Germany was associated with social isolation [ 33 ], suggesting that loneliness may be increasing psychological distress. Surprisingly, Americans showed remarkable resilience in response to the initial stage of social distancing and restriction measures between February and April 2020.…”

Digital forms of service delivery for personalized crisis resolution and home treatment

“…Das gemeinsame Besprechen des personalisierten Feedbacks könnte Patient*innen Einblicke in und Reflexion über ihr subjektives Erleben und ihre eigenen Verhaltensmuster ermöglichen [6], die nicht durch selektive oder andere kognitive Verzerrungen ("cognitive biases") beeinflusst werden. Dabei könnte sich das Feedback auf einen einfachen Wochenüberblick der berichteten Aktivitäten, Gefühle und Verhaltensweisen beschränken [16] [27].…”

Neuropsychiatrische Folgen der COVID-19-Pandemie

“…Betroffen waren vor allem Kinder und Jugendliche aus sozial benachteiligten Familien. Schließlich berichteten in einer Online-Studie [17] Zu beachten ist, dass in bisherigen Umfragestudien psychische Folgen der Pandemie ausschließlich über Selbstbeurteilungsinstrumente erfasst wurden, die zwar ein Screening psychischer Auffälligkeiten erlauben, jedoch keine klinische Diagnosestellung und damit keine Aussagen über eine tatsächliche Veränderung von Prävalenzraten psychischer Störungen in der Allgemeinbevölkerung im Rahmen der Pandemie ermöglichen.…”