Revisiting the Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Young Adults in the UK: Long-Term Trends, Temporary Setbacks, and Recovery DOI Creative Commons
Golo Henseke, Ingrid Schoon

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 5, 2025

Abstract This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health 16- to 29-year-olds in United Kingdom, using longitudinal data from UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) and its predecessor, covering period 2001 2023. The identifies causal effects lockdown (April 2020–March 2021) post-lockdown 2021–March 2022) by estimating counterfactual trajectories based long-term trends. Unlike prior research, it accounts for potential reporting bias introduced UKHLS study. Mental ill-health among young adults had been rising nearly two decades before pandemic. During period, average General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) psychological distress score increased 9% standard deviation, while prevalence clinically relevant rose 4.5 percentage points. was temporary, with levels returning predicted trends April 2021, suggesting no lasting 'scar' health. recovery coincided declining feelings loneliness life satisfaction. also variations pandemic’s gender, household income, age, ethnicity. Women top third income distribution experienced a more pronounced increase during lockdown. However, there is evidence that under-30 age group suffered, average, severe than rest adult population under 60 period. findings challenge prevalent narratives demonstrating relative resilience face

Language: Английский

Social Media Use, Loneliness and Emotional Distress Among Young People in Europe DOI
Benito Arias Martínez, Béatrice d’Hombres, Matija Kovačič

et al.

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The rapid rise of social media has transformed communication and raised concerns about its societal impact, particularly on mental health well-being. Using data from a novel EU-wide survey, this study investigates the association between usage, loneliness, emotional distress among young people across 27 European member states. We find that intensive use networking sites correlates positively with loneliness distress, whereas excess messaging tools plays very limited role. These findings are robust to alternative measures variety model specifications. Young adults who either grew up smartphones during their teenage years or twenties vulnerable excessive network sites. Further analysis suggests harmful effects site consumption may arise predominantly passive nature, while instant tools, which primarily involve active engagement, do not exhibit detrimental impact.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Declining Life Satisfaction and Happiness Among Young Adults in Six English-Speaking Countries DOI
Jean M. Twenge, David G. Blanchflower

SSRN Electronic Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Revisiting the Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Young Adults in the UK: Long-Term Trends, Temporary Setbacks, and Recovery DOI Creative Commons
Golo Henseke, Ingrid Schoon

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 5, 2025

Abstract This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health 16- to 29-year-olds in United Kingdom, using longitudinal data from UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) and its predecessor, covering period 2001 2023. The identifies causal effects lockdown (April 2020–March 2021) post-lockdown 2021–March 2022) by estimating counterfactual trajectories based long-term trends. Unlike prior research, it accounts for potential reporting bias introduced UKHLS study. Mental ill-health among young adults had been rising nearly two decades before pandemic. During period, average General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) psychological distress score increased 9% standard deviation, while prevalence clinically relevant rose 4.5 percentage points. was temporary, with levels returning predicted trends April 2021, suggesting no lasting 'scar' health. recovery coincided declining feelings loneliness life satisfaction. also variations pandemic’s gender, household income, age, ethnicity. Women top third income distribution experienced a more pronounced increase during lockdown. However, there is evidence that under-30 age group suffered, average, severe than rest adult population under 60 period. findings challenge prevalent narratives demonstrating relative resilience face

Language: Английский

Citations

0