Examination of Pre-pandemic Measures on Youth Well-being During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Published in: Biological psychiatry global open science 2021-12, Vol.1 (4), p.252-260
• Main Authors: Porter, Blaire M., Douglas, Ian J., Larguinho, Tyler L., Aristizabal, Melissa, Mitchell, Mackenzie E., Roe, Mary Abbe, Church, Jessica A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ADHD; Adolescent; Archival Report; COVID-19; Longitudinal; Mental health; Parent education
• ISSN: 2667-1743; 2667-1743
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.08.003

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lives in numerous ways. How youth have been impacted by the pandemic and which preexisting factors best relate to COVID-19 responses are of high importance for effective identification and treatment of those most vulnerable. Youth with pre-pandemic mental health difficulties such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could be at risk for worse well-being during and after the pandemic. The current study tested potential risk factors (i.e., pre-pandemic mental health, age, and parental education) and their relationship to family experiences during early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were previously enrolled in an ongoing, yearly longitudinal study examining the relationship between mental health and executive functions in youth. Families with 1–4 annual pre-pandemic lab visits filled out an online COVID-19 survey in May–July 2020 to assess how the pandemic impacted their well-being (n = 135 youth). Youth pre-pandemic mental health difficulties, especially ADHD symptoms, related to worse well-being during the early pandemic. Trajectories of recent ADHD symptoms over time also predicted cognitive difficulties during the pandemic. We found that youth age was a strong predictor of pandemic response, with younger youth showing fewer negative responses. Parental education level buffered family economic impact during early COVID-19. Families showed synchrony in their pandemic responses. Pre-pandemic ADHD severity and slope, youth age, and parental education (a proxy for socioeconomic status) were risk factors that influenced youth or family well-being early in the COVID-19 pandemic; this information can help identify those who may need more community and educational support.