Anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among early adolescents during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Background Anxiety and depression are among the most common and debilitating psychiatric disorders affecting youth, with both related to increased suicide risk. While rates of youth anxiety and depression were increasing before the COVID‐19 pandemic, the pandemic further negatively impacted adolesce...

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Published in:	Journal of adolescence (London, England.) Vol. 96; no. 6; pp. 1379 - 1387
Main Authors:	Danzo, Sarah, Kuklinski, Margaret R., Sterling, Stacy A., Beck, Arne, Braciszewski, Jordan M., Boggs, Jennifer, Briney, John S., Charvat‐Aguilar, Nancy, Eisenberg, Nicole, Kaffl, Abnette, Kline‐Simon, Andrea, Loree, Amy M., Lyons, Vivian H., Morse, Erica F., Morrison, Kristi M., Negusse, Rahel, Scheuer, Hannah
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-08-2024
Subjects:	Adolescent development Adolescents Anxiety Child & adolescent mental health COVID-19 depression Depression (Psychology) Early Adolescents Medicaid Mental depression Mental disorders Mental health Mental health services Pandemics Pediatrics Stress Suicidal behavior Suicidal ideation Suicide Teenagers Youth suicidal ideation anxiety depression COVID‐19
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Summary:	Background Anxiety and depression are among the most common and debilitating psychiatric disorders affecting youth, with both related to increased suicide risk. While rates of youth anxiety and depression were increasing before the COVID‐19 pandemic, the pandemic further negatively impacted adolescent mental health. Unfortunately, few studies have examined prevalence of these concerns among early adolescents (ages 10−13) longitudinally during the pandemic. Method The current study examined self‐reported anxiety and depression symptoms, and suicidal ideation amongst a general pediatrics population of 11‐ to 13‐year‐olds (n = 623) from March through September 2020 (early‐pandemic) and approximately 7 months later (September 2020 through May 2021; mid‐pandemic). Paired samples proportions were used to examine changes in prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation from early‐ to mid‐pandemic. Results Results highlight high initial rates and stability in anxiety and suicidal ideation, as well as a significant increase in depression (42.9% increase; p < .05) among the full sample during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Prevalance of concerns were greatest for females and Hispanic youth during the early‐pandemic, and generally highest for females and Medicaid insured youth at mid‐pandemic. Discussion Results extend recent research and underscore the need for continued monitoring of mental health concerns across development for youth who grew up during the COVID‐19 pandemic; highlighting the need for sustainable, effective, and accessible early detection, prevention, and intervention strategies. Improving these services is critical to support youth who experienced pandemic‐related stressors, and to prepare for supporting youth during future disruptive and isolating events.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0140-1971 1095-9254 1095-9254
DOI:	10.1002/jad.12333