Social Support and Perceptions of COVID‐19‐related Emotional Impact on Mental Health Among Early Adolescents in Appalachia

Abstract

Background Young people who experience higher levels of social support from their schools and families have been shown to be less likely to develop symptoms of negative mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety.1–4 This raises questions concerning how young people's stress and psychological changes due to the COVID‐19 pandemic as well as social support during this time have affected their overall mental health. The aim of this study was to assess the association between sources of parental‐ and school‐level social support and youth perceptions of COVID‐19‐related emotional impact on mental health among early adolescent girls and boys in Appalachia. Methods Using linear regression, we analyzed the first and third wave of survey data from the larger parent study (Young Mountaineer Health Study) cohort, collected in 20 middle schools throughout West Virginia in the fall of 2020 and fall of 2021 (N = 1349, mean age: 11.5, response rate: 80.7%). Results Approximately half of participants reported knowing someone that had been sick with COVID‐19. Those experiencing higher levels of perceived COVID‐19‐related emotional impact reported greater levels of depression, anxiety, and anger. Both parental and school‐level social support were associated with better mental health outcomes. Conclusions Early adolescent perceptions of COVID‐19‐related emotional impact were associated with depression, anxiety, and anger and moderated by social support at home and in school among 11‐12‐year‐old youth in Appalachia.

Socio-economic factors associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms among adolescents and young people during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…For adolescents and young people, the absence of social support such as school and parental social support, may increase the possibility for mental health problems 60 , 61 . Adolescents and young people experience significant physical and emotional changes, and often navigate complex social dynamics.…”

Role of Social Support in the Relationship Between Career Self-Efficacy and Psychological Distress Among Young People During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The role of social support in the lives of young people during the Covid-19 pandemic has been seen to be crucial. Studies have shown that young people who have received support from family and school, have been less predisposed to exhibit negative symptoms or mental health deterioration, although they have experienced the challenges and changes caused by Covid 19 (Layman et al, 2023). Social support includes care and attention from parents, caregivers, actors within the school, as well as peers for young people when they are bored, to do things with them and to talk, especially in a specific challenging area (Layman et al, 2023).…”

“…Studies have shown that young people who have received support from family and school, have been less predisposed to exhibit negative symptoms or mental health deterioration, although they have experienced the challenges and changes caused by Covid 19 (Layman et al, 2023). Social support includes care and attention from parents, caregivers, actors within the school, as well as peers for young people when they are bored, to do things with them and to talk, especially in a specific challenging area (Layman et al, 2023). With the interruption of learning in schools, the challenges of adapting to online learning and the limitation of social interactions, young people have shown a higher level of psychological distress (Arënliu & Bërxulli, 2020), and on the other hand, they have also reported difficulties in career planning (Jemini-Gashi & Kadriu, 2022).…”