COVID-19 Stressors and Latinx Adolescents\u27 Mental Health Symptomology and School Performance: A Prospective Study

This study addressed the need for research examining impacts of the Coronavirus-19 (COVID) pandemic on Latinx adolescents\u27 adjustment. Survey data for a probability sample of 547 Latinx adolescents (M = 13.71, SD = 0.86; 55.2% female) were collected from 2018 to 2021, including two times both prior to, and during, COVID. Independent variables assessed COVID-related household hospitalization, job/income loss, and adolescents\u27 increased childcare responsibility. Structural Equation Model results indicated that COVID-related increases in adolescent childcare responsibility were associated with increased internalizing and externalizing symptoms and declines in school performance. COVID hospitalization and job/income loss were associated indirectly, through childcare responsibilities, to worse adolescent outcomes. Family adversities may harm adolescents\u27 adjustment by burdening adolescents with responsibilities such caring for children