Importance: Although studies of adults show that pre-existing mental disorders increase risk for COVID-19 infection and severity, there is limited information about this association among youth. Mental disorders in general as well as specific types of disorders may influence their ability to comply with risk-mitigation strategies to reduce COVID-19 infection and transmission.
Objective: To examine associations between specific mental disorders and COVID-19 risk-mitigation practices among 314 female and 514 male youth.
Design: Youth compliance (rated as "Never," "Sometimes," "Often," or "Very often/Always") with risk mitigation was reported by parents on the CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey (CRISIS) in January 2021. Responses were summarized using factor analysis of risk mitigation, and their associations with lifetime mental disorders (assessed via structured diagnostic interviews) were identified with linear regression analyses (adjusted for covariates). All analyses used R Project for Statistical Computing for Mac (v.4.0.5).
Setting: The Healthy Brain Network (HBN) in New York City Participants. 314 female and 514 male youth (ages 5-21).
Main outcomes and measures: COVID-19 risk mitigation behaviors among youth.
Results: A two-factor model was the best-fitting solution. Factor 1 (avoidance behaviors) included avoiding groups, indoor settings, and other peoples' homes; avoidance was more likely among youth with any anxiety disorder (p=.01). Factor 2 (hygiene behaviors) included using hand sanitizer, washing hands, and maintaining social distance; practicing hygiene was less likely among youth with ADHD (combined type) (p=.02). Mask wearing, which did not load on either factor, was not associated with any mental health disorder.
Conclusion and relevance: Findings suggest that education and monitoring of risk-mitigation strategies in certain subgroups of youth may reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other contagious diseases. Additionally, they highlight the need for greater attention to vaccine prioritization for individuals with ADHD.
Key points: Question: Are mental disorders among youth associated with COVID-19 risk-mitigation behaviors?Findings: Based on the parent CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey (CRISIS) of 314 females and 514 males aged 5-21, youth with anxiety disorders were more likely to avoid high-risk exposure settings, and those with ADHD (combined type) were less likely to follow hygiene practices. In contrast, mask wearing was not associated with youth mental disorders.Meaning: Specific types of disorders in youth may interfere with their ability to employ risk-mitigation strategies that may lead to greater susceptibility to COVID-19.