Risk and Protective Factors for Changes in Adolescent Psychosocial Adjustment During COVID-19

The current study examined (1) changes in psychosocial adjustment among adolescents completing two surveys before COVID-19 and those completing the final survey during COVID-19 and (2) related risk/protective factors. Participants were 208 US adolescents (M-age = 15.09, SD = 0.50, 48.8% female, 86.1% White; 40.9% COVID group) who completed longitudinal surveys assessing psychosocial adjustment and related risk/protective factors (e.g., emotion regulation, well-being pursuits). Only adolescents completing Wave 3 during COVID-19 experienced increases in depressive symptoms, negative affect, and isolation and decreases in positive affect and friendship. Several variables served as risk (i.e., dampening) and protective (i.e., eudaimonic and hedonic motives) factors of these changes. Findings highlight the range of factors that are distinctly associated with negative changes in adolescent adjustment during COVID-19.

Automated summary

The study revealed negative changes in psychosocial adjustment among adolescents during COVID-19, with increased depressive symptoms, negative affect, and decreased positive affect. Various risk and protective factors, such as emotion regulation and well-being pursuits, were associated with these changes.