Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on youth mental health among youth with physical health challenges

Abstract

Aim To examine mental health in conjunction with physical health during the COVID‐19 pandemic among youth with physical health conditions compared to those without. Methods A cross‐sectional survey of 622 youth aged 14 to 28 was conducted. Analyses were conducted to understand the changes in mental and physical health among youth in four groups: (a) participants with a friend or family member diagnosed with COVID‐19, (b) participants with symptoms associated with COVID‐19, (c) participants with atopic conditions (asthma and allergies), and (d) participants with other preexisting physical health conditions. Results Many participants with physical health concerns met screening criteria for an internalizing disorder, which was significantly higher than the rate found among participants without physical health conditions. Significantly greater declines in self‐reported mental health were observed during the COVID‐19 period compared to 3 months earlier among youth reporting physical health concerns compared to those without physical health concerns. Substance use does not appear to have been affected. Conclusions Mental health concerns are highly prevalent among youth with physical health concerns, and also appear to be exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Physical health concerns appear to constitute risk factors for heightened mental health responses to the pandemic situation. System planners striving to adapt mental health services to meet social/physical distancing recommendations are urged to consider youth with physical health conditions and ensure that adequate integrated mental health and physical health supports are available to them.

COVID-19 and Student Well-Being: Stress and Mental Health during Return-to-School

“…Canadian research on COVID-19 and its impact on mental health and other outcomes is only now starting to be released. For example, Hawke et al (2020) examined mental health among youth with and without physical health challenges during the early stages of COVID-19. Participants in their sample of 14 to 28 year-olds indicated that youth with pre-existing physical health conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes) and those with symptoms associated with COVID-19 (i.e., fever, shortness of breath, cough/sore throat) reported more impact on their mental health and physical health than those without pre-existing mental and/or physical health concerns.…”

Going Virtual: Youth Attitudes Toward and Experiences of Virtual Mental Health and Substance use Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…For example, educational progress and experiences, employment, and social interaction have been disrupted, which may constitute risk factors for emerging or worsening MHSU challenges. Indeed, youth are experiencing mental health challenges during the pandemic [7][8][9][10][11][12] , including heighted symptoms of internalizing mental health challenges 7,13 , post-traumatic stress disorder 10,13 , and general stress and distress [10][11][12] . Behaviors associated with the maintenance of positive mental and physical health, such as physical activity and sleep, have also been disrupted for many youth 12,14,15 .…”

Professionals’ views on the mental health problems and vulnerability of children and young people during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Research from the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic indicates children and young people with pre-existing physical and mental health conditions may be particularly impacted by the pandemic. Mental health concerns appeared to be exacerbated in a sample of young people with pre-existing physical health concerns, particularly those with allergies or asthma (Hawke et al, 2020). Young people with a pre-existing mental illness have also reported significant levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD in the US .…”