Adolescents in the Covid Net: What Impact on their Mental Health?

J Child Adolesc Trauma. 2022 Nov 23;17(1):1-7. doi: 10.1007/s40653-022-00497-8. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Given the impact of traumatic events in adolescence and early adulthood, the current Covid 19 pandemic poses a high risk to the well-being and mental health of this population. This study aims to shed light on the traumatic impact of Covid-19 on adolescents and young adults, taking into account their personal experiences, with a particular focus on their emotional regulation skills. From May 2021 to May 2022, 216 adolescents and young adults were surveyed using a series of self-report questionnaires to assess the potentially traumatic effects of Covid-19 and its impact on adolescents' and young adults' emotional regulation skills. Analyses revealed a significant traumatic effect of Covid-19 on the adolescents in our sample. Significant correlations also emerged between the impact of the traumatic event and adolescents' emotional regulation skills. Our findings underscore the importance of considering the psychological impact of Covid-19 on adolescents from both a restorative and preventive perspective.

Keywords: Adolescence; Covid-19; Emotional regulation; Psychological well-being; Trauma; Youth.