A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Youth Mental Health and Substance use Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada: An Exploratory Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Youth mental health appears to have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact on substance use is less clear, as is the impact on subgroups of youth, including those with pre-existing mental health or substance use challenges.

Objective

This hypothesis-generating study examines the longitudinal evolution of youth mental health and substance use from before the COVID-19 pandemic to over one year into the pandemic among youth with pre-existing mental health or substance use challenges.

Method

A total of 168 youth aged 14-24 participated. Participants provided sociodemographic data, as well as internalizing disorder, externalizing disorder, and substance use data prior to the pandemic's onset, then every two months between April 2020-2021.

SUBMITTER: Sheikhan NY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9157274 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature