The Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. Adolescents: Loss of Basic Needs and Engagement in Health Risk Behaviors

Abstract

Across the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic created myriad challenges for youth and families, including losses of basic needs which may be associated with increased use of maladaptive coping behaviors. In a sample of 2,491 U.S. youth (ages 13-16), demographic differences in loss of basic needs and maladaptive coping were assessed using regression models. More than 21% of adolescents endorsed losing one or more basic needs and 83% endorsed use of maladaptive coping strategies. Minoritzed youth reported losing more basic needs (ps < 0.05), and greater reliance on maladaptive coping behaviors (ps < 0.05), relative to non-minoritized peers. Healthcare providers and teachers must consider basic need losses while structuring support for youth during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.