The impact of COVID-19 on depression in adolescents

School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This article delves into the COVID-19 pandemic’s marked influence on adolescent depression, with crucial factors and intervention strategies under exploration. Research reveals a marked increase in adolescent depression during the pandemic, with notable regional and gender disparities influenced by social-cultural contexts and epidemic control measures. The pandemic introduced stressors such as routine disruptions, infection fears, and academic pressures, exacerbating adolescents’ psychological burdens. In terms of interventions, single-session online methods have shown efficacy in alleviating depression, offering new approaches for adolescent mental health support during the pandemic. However, previous research has limitations, including restricted intervention types and sample diversity, as well as reliance on self-rated questionnaire data. Future research should diversify interventions, expand sample scopes, employ multi-method data collection, and analyze interactions between pandemic stressors and depression mechanisms to enhance theoretical models and inform targeted mental health strategies.