Risk and protective factors of emotional symptoms in Chilean adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19 has unleashed a health, economic, social and humanitarian crisis worldwide. The strict measures implemented to control this global crisis have threatened adolescents’ coping mechanisms and social support, putting their mental health at risk. This study aims to determine the changes that have occurred in psychological functioning and health during the pandemic lockdown, as well as potential risk and protective factors for youth mental health. Participants were 1637 Chilean adolescents (85.83% female), aged 14-18 years (Mage = 16.40; SD = 1.28), who completed an ad hoc questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). A descriptive and cross-sectional study design was used, multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Most adolescents reported severe levels of depression and anxiety with girls being more at risk than boys. Many of them reported a change in social and personal habits. Results further indicate that socio-demographic and COVID-19 related variables have a significant impact on adolescents’ emotional symptoms. Risk factors such as looking for information about the coronavirus, experiencing a recent stressful life event, reporting pre-pandemic mental health problems were significantly related to higher levels of emotional symptoms. Eating a healthy diet was associated with fewer emotional symptoms, while spending more time playing video games was related to more anxiety. Being in a romantic relationship, satisfying social and family relationships acted as protective factors against mental health problems. Further research is necessary to detect risk and protective factors that influence adolescent’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.