COVID-19 and late adolescent mental health

This study examined socioeconomic disparities in changes in late adolescents’ mental health between fall 2019, spring 2020, and fall 2020. Using data from 1,429 adolescents (Mage = 17.9) from tertiary vocational schools in the Netherlands, linear and latent basis growth curve models were assessed and multigroup analyses conducted. Results showed a small but significant decrease in life satisfaction and small but significant increases in emotional problems, peer relationship problems, conduct problems, and hyperactivity-inattention problems. For emotional problems and peer relationship problems, changes between fall 2019 and spring 2020 were more pronounced than changes between spring 2020 and fall 2020. For the other outcomes, decreases were linear. Mental health trajectories were largely comparable for adolescents from families with varying socioeconomic status