Elsevier

Journal of Psychiatric Research

Volume 156, December 2022, Pages 491-497
Journal of Psychiatric Research

The trajectory of mental health problems for UK emerging adults during COVID-19

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.068Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • The trajectory of mental health for young UK adults aligned with restrictive measures.

  • Females experienced comparatively more self-reported mental health problems than males.

  • Further socio-demographic and health-related factors predicted poor mental health.

  • Our findings pose utility to immediate and future interventions for at risk groups.

Abstract

Initial COVID-19 restrictions were associated with declining mental health, particularly in UK emerging adults. Prior research has yet to examine changes in mental health in this demographic over the entire course of the three UK national lockdowns. Drawing upon the Understanding Society COVID-19 Survey, this study examined the trajectory of mental health problems for emerging adults (18-29-year-olds) from April 2020–September 2021. Mental health problems were assessed at nine time-points using the General Health Questionnaire. The analytic sample included 1018 participants (304 males, 714 females). Growth curve modelling was used to examine the trajectory of mental health problems and the associated sociodemographic and health covariates. Females and those with fewer household members, lower income, no private garden, and pre-existing mental or physical health diagnoses reported more mental health problems. Gender differences were evident in the rate of change. Females' mental health problems declined from the first lockdown until just after the relaxation of initial restrictive measures (September 2020), increased until April 2021 (constituting lockdowns two and three), and then slightly decreased until September 2021 during the phased exit from restrictions. Males’ mental health problems followed a similar trajectory, with a greater rate of increase in mental health problems from July 2020–April 2021, and a greater rate of decline from April–September 2021. Females reported more mental health problems throughout the three national lockdowns than males. These findings can inform public health policies targeted toward young adult populations and highlight sub-populations at greater risk of worsening mental health.

Keywords

Young adults
COVID-19
Mental health
Socio-demographic
Longitudinal
Gender
pandemic

Cited by (0)