The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc worldwide, has had a serious impact on the mental health of young people, with an increased level of clinical depression.
The findings of the study were published in the journal ‘Psychiatry Research’.
Apart from increased levels of clinical depression reported, a decrease in alcohol use among adolescents was identified during the pandemic.
During this unique study, researchers from the University of Surrey surveyed 259 young people pre-pandemic (autumn 2019) and amid the first closure measures (May / June 2020) on their levels of depression, anxiety, well-being, alcohol use and sleep quality.
Researchers have found evidence of a significant impact on the mental health of these young adults as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant increase in depressive symptoms and a decrease in overall well-being during confinement compared to the previous fall.
It was found that the levels of clinical depression in the respondents more than doubled, and it increased from 14.9 percent in the fall of 2019 to 34.7 percent in May / June 2020.
Sleep quality was not seen to decrease in the overall sample, but, more importantly, a correlation was seen between the increase in depression and lower sleep quality below lockdown. What is also worrying is that researchers have identified a significant shift towards ‘evening’ (a preference for going to bed and waking up later), which was previously associated with higher levels of anxiety and a greater incidence of small psychiatric disorders.
Interestingly, despite reports of increasing global alcohol sales during the first exclusion, researchers have identified a significant decrease in alcohol consumption among the group that can be attributed to social constraints that apply during this period. Researchers were encouraged by this finding because it suggests that young people did not use alcohol as a coping strategy during that time.
Findings from this study highlighted the significant impact of the pandemic on the mental health of young people. The link to sleep quality can help strategies support their well-being as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.
Dr Simon Evans, Lecturer in Neuroscience at the University of Surrey, said: “There has been an increase in the number of young people experiencing mental health problems for many years, and it is worrying to see that this has worsened significantly as a result. of to Covid-19. “
‘Supporting the mental health of young people and ensuring that they have access to the support they need is essential to ensuring their overall well-being. As social constraints continue in response to the pandemic, it is crucial that we take steps to protect their mental health, ”Dr Evans concluded.
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