scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on anxiety and depression symptoms of young people in the Global South: evidence from a four-country cohort study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Porter ◽  
Marta Favara ◽  
Annina Hittmeyer ◽  
Douglas Scott ◽  
Alan Sánchez Jiménez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Young People ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Anxiety And Depression

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo provide evidence on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of adolescents and young adults who grew up in poverty in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).DesignA phone survey implemented August-October 2020 to participants of a population-based cohort study since 2002 comprising two cohorts born in 1994-5 and 2001-2 in Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Peru and Vietnam. We examined associations between mental health and pandemic-related stressors, as well as structural factors (gender, location, wealth); and lifelong protective/risk factors (parent and peer relationship, past household wealth, long-term health problems, past emotional problems and subjective well-being) measured at younger ages.SettingA diverse, poverty focused sample, reaching those without mobile phones or internet access.Participants10,496 individuals were approached, 9,730 participated. Overall, 8,988 individuals were included in this study, 4,610 (51%) male and 4,378 (49%) female. Non-inclusion was due to non-location or missing data.Main outcome measuresAt least mild anxiety and depression were measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7, ≥5) and Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8, ≥5).ResultsRates of symptoms of at least mild anxiety (depression) were highest in Peru at 41% (32%) [95% CI, 38.63-43.12; (29.49-33.74)], and lowest in Vietnam at 9% (9%) [95% CI, 8.16-10.58; (8.33-10.77)], mirroring COVID-19 mortality rates. Females were most affected in all countries but Ethiopia. In all countries, pandemic-related stressors were associated with increased rates of anxiety and depression, though with varying levels of importance across countries. Prior parent and peer relationships were protective factors for mental health while having a long-term health problem or prior emotional problems were risk factors.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to the mental health of young people. Mental health support is limited in LMICs and young people have to date been lower priority for COVID-19 interventions.Strengths and limitations of this studyThe study uses data from adolescents and young adults who grew up in poverty in four LMICs which were diversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore investigating a globally vulnerable, but understudied group both in terms of age and wealth.This study reaches a broad sample of young people who grew up in poverty, including those without internet or mobile phone access.A key strength is combining a broad range of pandemic-related stressors from survey data on experiences of COVID-19 with previously measured information on longer-term risk and protective factors, therefore contributing to a more complete picture of COVID-19 effects.A limitation of the study is that it does not have a directly comparable pre-COVID baseline for depression/anxiety, however, proxy variables are used as a baseline and the explanatory variables capture dynamics that happened during the pandemic.A further limitation is possible underreporting due to stigma associated with mental health, despite piloting and validation, as well as possible bias in self-reported experiences of pandemic-related stressors due to feelings of anxiety or depression.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depression symptoms of young people in the global south: evidence from a four-country cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e049653
Author(s):  
Catherine Porter ◽  
Marta Favara ◽  
Annina Hittmeyer ◽  
Douglas Scott ◽  
Alan Sánchez Jiménez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Young People ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries

ObjectiveTo provide evidence on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people who grew up in poverty in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).DesignA phone survey administered between August and October 2020 to participants of a population-based longitudinal cohort study established in 2002 comprising two cohorts born in 1994–1995 and 2001–2002 in Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Peru and Vietnam. We use logistic regressions to examine associations between mental health and pandemic-related stressors, structural factors (gender, age), and lifelong protective/risk factors (parent and peer relationship, wealth, long-term health problems, past emotional problems, subjective well-being) measured at younger ages.SettingA geographically diverse, poverty-focused sample, also reaching those without mobile phones or internet access.Participants10 496 individuals were approached; 9730 participated. Overall, 8988 individuals were included in this study; 4610 (51%) men and 4378 (49%) women. Non-inclusion was due to non-location or missing data.Main outcome measuresSymptoms consistent with at least mild anxiety or depression were measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (≥5) or Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (≥5).ResultsRates of symptoms of at least mild anxiety (depression) were highest in Peru at 41% (32%) (95% CI 38.63% to 43.12%; (29.49–33.74)), and lowest in Vietnam at 9% (9%) (95% CI 8.16% to 10.58%; (8.33–10.77)), mirroring COVID-19 mortality rates. Women were most affected in all countries except Ethiopia. Pandemic-related stressors such as health risks/expenses, economic adversity, food insecurity, and educational or employment disruption were risk factors for anxiety and depression, though showed varying levels of importance across countries. Prior parent/peer relationships were protective factors, while long-term health or emotional problems were risk factors.ConclusionPandemic-related health, economic and social stress present significant risks to the mental health of young people in LMICs where mental health support is limited, but urgently needed to prevent long-term consequences.

scholarly journals Psychotropic drug use following venous thromboembolism versus diabetes mellitus in adolescence or young adulthood: a Danish nationwide cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e026159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anette Arbjerg Højen ◽  
Mette Søgaard ◽  
Line Melgaard ◽  
Deirdre A. Lane ◽  
Erik Elgaard Sørensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Psychotropic Drug ◽  
Risk Difference ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults

ObjectivesCritical and chronic illness in youth such as diabetes can lead to impaired mental health. Despite the potentially traumatic and life-threatening nature of venous thromboembolism (VTE), the long-term mental health of adolescents and young adults with VTE is unclear. We compared the long-term mental health of adolescents and young adults with VTE versus adolescents and young adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) using psychotropic drug purchase as proxy for mental health.DesignNationwide registry-based cohort study.SettingDenmark 1997–2015.ParticipantsAll patients aged 13–33 years with an incident diagnosis of VTE (n=5065) or IDDM (n=6609).ExposureFirst time primary hospital diagnosis of VTE or IDDM.Primary and secondary outcome measuresAdjusted absolute risk and risk difference at 1 and 5 years follow-up for first psychotropic drug purchase comparing patients with VTE and patients with IDDM.ResultsThe absolute 1 year risk of psychotropic drug use was 6.2% among VTE patients versus 3.6% among patients with IDDM, at 5 years this was 19.3%–14.7%, respectively. After adjusting for the effect of sex, age and risk factors for VTE this corresponded to a 1 year risk differences of 1.9% (95 % CI 0.1% to 3.3%). At 5 years follow-up the risk difference was 1.9% (95% CI 0.5% to 3.3%).ConclusionOne-fifth of adolescents and young adults with incident VTE had claimed a prescription for a psychotropic drug within 5 years, a risk comparable to that of young patients with IDDM.

Psychotic disorders in young adults with perinatally acquired HIV: a UK case series

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
I. Mallik ◽  
T. Pasvol ◽  
G. Frize ◽  
S. Ayres ◽  
A. Barrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Psychotic Episode ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Perinatally Acquired

Abstract Background Increasing numbers of children with perinatally acquired HIV (PaHIV) are transitioning into adult care. People living with behaviourally acquired HIV are known to be at more risk of psychosis than uninfected peers. Young adults living with PaHIV face numerous risk factors; biological: lifelong exposure to a neurotrophic virus, antiretroviral medication and immune dysfunction during brain development, and environmental; social deprivation, ethnicity-related discrimination, and migration-related issues. To date, there is little published data on the prevalence of psychotic illness in young people growing up with PaHIV. Methods We conducted a retrospective case note review of all individuals with PaHIV aged over 18 years registered for follow up at a dedicated clinic in the UK (n = 184). Results In total, 12/184 (6.5%), median age 23 years (interquartile range 21–26), had experienced at least one psychotic episode. The presentation and course of the psychotic episodes experienced by our cohort varied from short-lived symptoms to long term illness and nine (75%) appear to have developed a severe and enduring mental illness requiring long term care. Conclusion The prevalence of psychosis in our cohort was clearly above the lifetime prevalence of psychosis in UK individuals aged 16–34 years, which has been reported to be 0.5–1.0%. This highlights the importance of clinical vigilance regarding the mental health of young people growing up with PaHIV and the need to integrate direct access to mental health services within the HIV centres providing medical care.

scholarly journals “You’re just there, alone in your room with your thoughts” A qualitative study about the impact of lockdown among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. McKinlay ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Joanna Dawes ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults have been greatly affected by quarantine measures during the coronavirus-19 pandemic. Quantitative evidence suggests that many young people have struggled with their mental health throughout “lockdown”, but little is understood about the qualitative impact of social distancing restrictions on mental health, wellbeing and social life. We therefore sought to elicit the views and experiences of adolescents and young adults living in the UK during the pandemic.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 37 participants aged 13-24.ResultsWe identified 4 superordinate themes most commonly described by participants about their experiences during the pandemic, including: a) missing social contact during lockdown, b) disruption to education, c) changes to social relationships, and d) improved wellbeing during lockdown. Although we identified some positive experiences during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health and stronger relationship ties, many said they struggled with loneliness, a decline in mental health, and anxiety about socialising after the pandemic.ConclusionsFindings suggest that some young people may have felt less stigma talking about their mental health now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many are worried about how the pandemic has affected their education and social connections and may require additional psychological, practical and social support. Our findings highlight the important role that education providers play in providing a source of information and support to adolescents and young adults during times of uncertainty.

scholarly journals Are children of any age susceptible to suicidal behaviour?

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Large Cohort ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Health Disorders

Mei-Sing Ong and colleagues in the USA and Canada have investigated the risk factors for suicide attempt in a large cohort of children, adolescents, and young adults with mental health disorders.

scholarly journals Psykisk helsearbeid på internett: konsekvenser for normalitets- og identitetsdannelse hos ungdom

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Johan W. Andersen ◽  
Tommy Svensson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
English Summary ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Font Size

<span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><p align="left">Psykisk helsearbeid på internett øker i omfang, og verdsettes på grunn av bekvemmelighet, lave kostnader og muligheter for anonymitet. Artikkelen bygger på en kartlegging av norske og svenske nettbaserte eposttjenester for ungdom og unge voksne, og viser at det var 24 nettsteder som tilbød slike tjenester i 2009. Tjenestene hadde opphav i både offentlig og frivillig sektor. Flesteparten av sidene fra offentlig sektor tok utgangspunkt i eksisterende tjenestetilbud, og var en videreutvikling av tjenestene for å styrke tilgjengeligheten av psykisk helsetjenester. Andre sider oppsto som en konsekvens av FNs konvensjon av barns rettigheter. Størsteparten av sidene fra frivillig sektor ble utviklet som følge av et personlig og/eller fagpolitisk engasjement. Fire hovedtema for e-posttjenestene ble identifisert: 1) Kropp, kjønn og seksuell helse; 2) Informasjon og kontakt med voksne; 3) Rus og rusmidler; 4) Psykiske problemer. Studien viser at nettjenestene argumenterer for at det er viktig for ungdoms psykiske helse at de blir inkludert og akseptert i et fellesskap og at de opplever å bli respektert på egne premisser. Samtidig videreføres et ideal om det uavhengige og autonome mennesket, og nettjenestene formidler samlet sett et spenningsfylt budskap om at ungdom er avhengige av andre for å bli og forbli uavhengige individer. Psykisk helsearbeid på internett framstår som en måte å håndtere denne spenningen på, og muliggjør at ungdom kan håndtere en identitet som både avhengige og uavhengige mennesker. Studien viser forskjeller knyttet til begrepsforståelse, og peker på viktigheten av å utforske meningsinnholdet i psykisk helse nærmere.</p><p align="left">Mental health services on the Internet.<br />ENGLISH SUMMARY: The demand for Internet-based mental health services are increasing. The services are valued for their convenience, low cost and opportunities for anonymity. This article is based on a survey of Norwegian and Swedish Internet-based email services for adolescents and young adults. The objective was to explore the ways in which these services mould young people's view on normality and identity and how they contribute to mental health. 24 websites were systematically reviewed. Most of the sites from public sector derived from existing services and can best be understood as an attempt to enhance the availability of the same services for adolescents and young adults. Other sites were closely connected to the UN Convention of children’s rights. A majority of the services from voluntary sector were developed as a result of initiatives taken by professionals or private persons. The email services focused different issues. A qualitative content analysis identified four main themes: 1) Body, gender and sexual health, 2) Information and contact with adults, 3) Drugs and substance abuse, 4) Mental problems.<br />In order to contribute to mental health amongst adolescents and young adults the services emphasise the importance of social inclusion and acceptation. At the same time the services maintain an ideal of the independent and autonomous human being. The services send out a message stating that young people are dependent on others to become and remain independent persons. Internet-based mental health services<br />enables young people to deal with an identity as both dependent and independent. The study reveals differences regarding the concept of mental health, and emphasise the importance of exploring the concept and meaning of mental health more closely.</p></span></span>

Nutrition, lifestyle factors, and mental health in adolescents and young adults living in Austria

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Walther ◽  
Ulrike Aldrian ◽  
Hans Peter Stüger ◽  
Ingrid Kiefer ◽  
Cem Ekmekcioglu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Positive Effects

Abstract Background: Due to an alarming trend of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, along with the sparse data on dietary habits and lifestyle factors, the present study aims to analyze the current nutritional behavior as well as the lifestyle and mental health of adolescents and young adults living in Austria. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 500 respondents (aged between 14 and 24 years) completed an anonymous questionnaire on nutrition behavior, mental health, and lifestyle factors by Internet survey. Results: Only 50% of the participants ate breakfast daily and 10% did not eat breakfast at all. About 47% of the respondents consumed milk and milk products daily. Furthermore, only 31% ate fruit and 21% ate vegetables at least once a day, and 46% ate fish seldom or never. Nearly 28% of young people liked to eat fast food twice or thrice a week and more, with males more often replacing a meal with a fast food product (36%) than females (21%). About 46% of the respondents engaged in physical activity only once a week (or more rarely). A fifth of our respondents (23%) spent more than 2 h a day using various social networks, with Facebook being the most popular social network among the respondents. Around 27% claimed to be smokers, with more female (33%) than male (20%) smoker. In terms of sleeping habits, 19% slept <6 h a day. Regarding well-being, 44% were more likely to feel stressed, 35% stated that they were tense, and 43% felt tired and listless. Eating together, physical activity, and sleep patterns showed positive effects on well-being, whereas higher consumption of fast food/snacks/soft drinks and alcoholic drinks/energy drinks was associated with relatively lower well-being. Conclusions: Unhealthy eating habits, suboptimal physical activity, and smoking are still prominent in a sample of Austrian adolescents and young people. In addition, stress and tiredness are also relevant problems in this collective.

scholarly journals Perception, Attitudes, and Experiences Regarding Mental Health Problems and Web Based Mental Health Information Amongst Young People with and without Migration Background in Germany. A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Ümran Sema Seven ◽  
Mendy Stoll ◽  
Dennis Dubbert ◽  
Christian Kohls ◽  
Petra Werner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Migration Background ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

Mental illnesses in adolescence and young adulthood are steadily increasing. Thus, mental disorders represent an individual and societal challenge and an enormous health economic burden, creating an urgent need for research and action. Mental health problems are omnipresent in the life of young people and the internet is the first resource, which helps them to understand their situation. Young people with migration background often have more difficulties accessing health care services. Digital technologies offer an ideal opportunity for a low-threshold platform that addresses the needs of young people. The current project “GeKo:mental” aims to design a multilingual website for Cologne-based adolescents and young adults that will enable them to obtain comprehensive information about mental illness and health, treatment options and first contact points. To design this website, this study aims to find out what kind of health information is needed and how it should best be presented. Nine focus group discussions with adolescents and young adults with and without migration background (N = 68) were conducted; the focus group discussions took place at schools, in an association for social youth work and in an cultural association, which is linked to a mosque in Cologne, Germany. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on the gathered material. The participants reported concrete challenges and needs. The results will form the basis for the development and design of a website.

Prevalence and risk factors for cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children, adolescents, and young adults: a multi-institutional North American cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 274-283
Author(s):  
Diana J Moke ◽  
Chunqiao Luo ◽  
Joshua Millstein ◽  
Kristin R Knight ◽  
Shahrad R Rassekh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
North American ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
North American Cohort

scholarly journals Prescribing of Long-term Antibiotics to Adolescents in Primary Care: a Retrospective Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
pp. BJGP.2021.0332
Author(s):  
Mark Lown ◽  
Sam McKeown ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Nick Francis ◽  
Miriam Santer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Antibiotic Prescription ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing

Background: Antibiotic overuse is linked with increased risk of antimicrobial resistance. Long-term antibiotics are commonly used for treating acne and prophylaxis of urinary tract infection. Their contribution to the overall burden of antibiotic use is relatively unknown. Aim: To describe the volume of commonly prescribed long-term (>= 28 days) antibiotic prescriptions in adolescents and young adults, trends over time and comparisons with acute prescriptions. Design and Setting: Retrospective cohort study using UK electronic primary care records. Methods: Patients born between 1979 and 1996 in the Care and Health Information Analytics database were included. Our main outcome measures were antibiotic prescription rates per 1000 person years, antibiotic prescription days per person year between ages 11-21. Results: 320,722 participants received a total of 710,803 antibiotic prescriptions between the ages of 11-21 from 1998 to 2017. 191,443/710,803 (26.93%) prescriptions were for long-term antibiotics (≥28 days and ≤ 6 months in duration). Long-term antibiotics accounted for more than two-thirds (72.48%) of total antibiotic exposure (days per person year). Total long-term antibiotic prescribing peaked in 2013 at just under 6 days per person year and declined to around 4 in 2017. Conclusions: Amongst adolescents and young adults, exposure to long-term antibiotics (primarily lymecycline used for acne) was much greater than for acute antibiotics and is likely to make an important contribution to antimicrobial resistance. Urgent action is needed to reduce unnecessary exposure to long-term antibiotics in this group. Increasing the use of and adherence to effective, non-antibiotic treatments for acne is key to achieving this.

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