Increases in Loneliness Among Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Association With Increases in Mental Health Problems

Young adults are at high risk for increases in loneliness and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study examined increases in loneliness in a young adult sample, for whom increases were greater, and association with increases in depression and anxiety. Data from 564 youn...

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Published in:Journal of adolescent health Vol. 67; no. 5; pp. 714 - 717
Main Authors: Lee, Christine M., Cadigan, Jennifer M., Rhew, Isaac C.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2020
Elsevier BV
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Subjects:
Adolescent Health Brief
Adult
Adults
Anxiety
Coronavirus Infections - psychology
COVID-19
Depression
Depression - etiology
Disruption
Female
Health problems
High risk
Humans
Loneliness
Loneliness - psychology
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental Disorders - etiology
Mental Health
Pandemics
Perceived social support
Pneumonia, Viral - psychology
Social Isolation - psychology
Social life & customs
Social support
USA
Washington
Women
Young Adult
Young adults
Washington
COVID-19
Loneliness
Depression
USA
Young adult
Mental health
ISSN:1054-139X, 1879-1972, 1879-1972
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Young adults are at high risk for increases in loneliness and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study examined increases in loneliness in a young adult sample, for whom increases were greater, and association with increases in depression and anxiety. Data from 564 young adults (ages 22–29, 60.7% women) were collected in January 2020 (pre-pandemic) and April/May 2020 (during pandemic). Loneliness increased from January to April/May and changes in loneliness were greater for females, those with higher perceived social support in January, and those with greater concerns about the pandemic's social impacts. Depression (but not anxiety) increased during this time with changes in loneliness accounting for much of the increase in depression. Intervention strategies with young adults need to address loneliness and feelings of reduced social support during this time, especially for those who may have had greater disruption in their social lives.
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ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.08.009