A Mental Health Pandemic? Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Young People's Mental Health

Katrina Lloyd; Dirk Schubotz; Rosellen Roche; Joel Manzi; Martina McKnight

doi:10.3390/ijerph20166550

A Mental Health Pandemic? Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Young People's Mental Health

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Aug 9;20(16):6550. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20166550.

Authors

Katrina Lloyd¹, Dirk Schubotz¹, Rosellen Roche², Joel Manzi³, Martina McKnight¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK.
² Department of Primary Care, Ohio University HCOM Cleveland Campus, South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Heights, OH 44122, USA.
³ Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham-Cahaba Medical Care, Birmingham, AL 35211, USA.

Abstract

Background: Research indicates that young people have been a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to negative mental health outcomes following COVID-19, with some authors warning of a 'mental health pandemic'.

Materials and method: Using a survey approach, this study explored the effects of lockdowns on the mental health of 1995 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland. Respondents completed the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) along with closed- and open-ended questions about COVID-19.

Results: Results from regression analysis showed that being female, identifying as non-heterosexual and perceiving that mental health had worsened during lockdown were the best predictors of poor mental health. In the open responses, young people reported significant concerns about their mental health and their educational outcomes. They also felt that their needs were not given the same priority as those of adults during lockdown.

Conclusions: The results suggest that the COVID-19 lockdowns adversely affected the mental health of many young people in Northern Ireland with the effects most acute for females and those identifying as non-heterosexual. Future research should explore the longer-term impact of the pandemic on the mental health of these vulnerable young people and identify what support mechanisms need to be put in place to mitigate the negative effects of any future crises.

Keywords: COVID-19; Northern Ireland; mental health; young people.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Communicable Disease Control
Educational Status
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Health*
Pandemics

Grants and funding

This research draws on data collected with various sources of YLT survey part-funding over the years, including from the Office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY); Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine; The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister/The Executive Office of the Northern Ireland Government; the EU Programme of Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland; The Carnegie UK Trust; and the Nuffield Foundation.