ABSTRACT
Objectives: The current outbreak of COVID-19 is an unprecedented event impacting people all around the world and leading to increased mental health concerns. Although research regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is limited, research indicates that it has led to increased levels of stress and anxiety. The lives of emerging adults in the United States were particularly disrupted due to unexpected changes, such as displacement and an abrupt switch to remote learning. Consequently, it is imperative to assess how COVID-19 has impacted this population and how it may relate to anxiety severity. Methods: The current study used self-report online measures to explore the relationship between COVID-19 life disruptions and anxiety severity in a sample of individuals aged 18 to 25 years (n = 353;Mage = 21 years;79% female;95% college student). A logistic regression analysis was conducted in order to examine the likelihood of an individual having moderate-to-severe anxiety based on the number of life disruptions (eg, loss of employment, contracting COVID-19, difficulties accessing basic needs) they have experienced. Results: The logistic regression yielded significant results (χ2 [1] = 13.479;p < 0.001;R2 = 0.046]. The overall model yielded 59% correct classification, with 84% correct classification for none-to-minimal anxiety. Examination of the ORs (OR = 1.316;p < 0.001;95% CI, 1.132-1.530) indicated that life disruptions in a higher (vs lower) number of domains increased the likelihood of experiencing clinical levels of anxiety. Further examination of specific life disruptions revealed that 3 of the 13 life disruptions listed were significant predictors for moderate-to-severe anxiety: 1) difficulties accessing basic needs(χ2 [1] = 10.757;p < 0.01;R2 = 0.037;OR = 2.377;95% CI, 1.406-4.019);2) difficulties working from home (χ2 [1] = 8.335;p < 0.01;R2 = 0.029;OR = 2.043;95% CI, 1.253-3.330);and 3) difficulties transitioning to remote learning (χ2 [1] = 6.002;p < 0.05;R2 = 0.021;OR = 1.950;95% CI, 1.131-3.364). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 life disruptions on anxiety severity. Given that the 3 life disruptions have been found to be significant predictors of anxiety, educational institutions should consider methods to ensure that students have access to basic needs and utilize strategies to enhance remote learning endeavors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. AD, RF, STRESS
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to experiences of overwhelming stress and uncertainty. The psychological effects of the pandemic include increased mental health difficulties and sleep disruption across all age groups, including in emerging adults. Avoidant coping (ie, changing behavior to avoid exposure to a stressor) is a maladaptive coping strategy commonly employed in times of stress. Research has indicated that avoidant coping can lead to increased stress and other negative outcomes such as disruptions in sleep. Methods: The current study investigated the hypothesis that avoidant coping is a mediator in the relationship between the perceived impact of COVID-19 and sleep difficulties. A sample of individuals aged 18 to 25 years (n = 326, 79.0% female) completed self-reported measures examining demographics, sleep, coping mechanisms, and perceived COVID-19 impact. Participants for this IRB-approved study were recruited using online flyers. Results: A regression analysis determined that the overall model was significant (F2,323 = 25.17;p < 0.001;R2 = 0.13), accounting for 13% of the variance. The path between COVID-19 impact and avoidant coping was significant (b = 0.627;p < 0.001), indicating that higher levels of COVID-19 impact was associated with more avoidant coping. Furthermore, the path from avoidant coping to sleep disturbance was significant (b = 0.335;p < 0.001), with more use of avoidant coping being associated with increased sleep disturbance. The path from COVID-19 impact to sleep difficulties remained significant when avoidant coping was added as a mediator (b = 0.772;p < 0.001), indicating partial mediation. Conclusions: Overall, results indicated that avoidant coping partially mediates the relationship between COVID-19 impact and sleep disturbance. This study highlights the importance of developing and disseminating interventions that target the use of effective coping mechanisms in emerging adults. COPI, SLP, STRESS
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great influence on society, especially on the lives of emerging adults. Due to social distancing, many emerging adults have been restricted to their homes and have had limited contact with their friends and family, which may lead to increased feelings of social loneliness and sadness. Mindfulness, the psychological process of being aware of the present moment, has been found to alleviate mental health problems, such as depression. The current study explores the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between social loneliness and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants for this IRB-approved study were recruited by using online flyers (N = 302;Mage = 20.9 years;78.7% female, 8.6% Hispanic, 80.5% White). The participants completed multiple online self-report measures including the DeJong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Results: An initial regression analysis found that social loneliness was a predictor of depression (b = 0.99;p < 0.001). Further analysis was conducted using Hayes’s SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4). The overall model was significant (F2,299 = 57.96;p < 0.001;R2 = 0.28), explaining 28% of the variance. The path between social loneliness and mindfulness (b = –0.10;p < 0.004) was significant, with increased social loneliness being associated with decreased mindfulness. The path from mindfulness to depression symptoms (b = –2.57;p < 0.001) was also significant, suggesting that higher levels of mindfulness were associated with fewer depressive symptoms among participants. The path from social loneliness to depression symptoms remained significant (b = 0.74;p < 0.001) when mindfulness was added to the model, indicating partial mediation. Conclusions: These results suggest that, during the current pandemic, emerging adults experiencing social loneliness may be less likely to engage in mindfulness, leading to an increase in depressive symptoms. During times of social isolation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be beneficial for young people to engage in interventions that foster mindfulness to decrease depression symptoms precipitated by social loneliness. DDD
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased experiences of despair, isolation, and a growing uncertainty surrounding the future of our global health. The effects of the pandemic are evident in almost all aspects of daily life, from the risks to physical health to loss of employment and the ability to attend school. Emerging adults are among the many individuals facing increases in mental illness during this time. Acceptance is a well-researched emotion regulation strategy that has been associated with positive outcomes such as decreased negative affect and greater psychological health in young adults. This study investigated the hypothesis that acceptance use is a mediator in the relationship between the perceived impact of COVID-19 and symptoms of depression among emerging adults. Methods: Participants in this IRB-approved study were recruited via online flyers distributed through listservs and social media. The sample (n =303;79% female;8.8% Hispanic;Mage = 20.9 years) completed a series of online self-report measures, assessing for current levels of depression, the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the use of acceptance. Results: A linear regression indicated that the COVID-19 impact is significantly associated with depression (b = 0.77;p < 0.001). Further regression analyses were conducted using Hayes’s PROCESS macro in SPSS. The overall model was significant (F2,300 = 107.7;p < 0.001;R2 = 0.42), accounting for 42% of the variance. The path between the COVID-19 impact and acceptance use was significant (b = 0.71;p = 0.26), indicating that higher levels of COVID-19 impact are associated with less acceptance use. The path between acceptance use and depression was also significant (b = 0.44;p = 0.0025), indicating that higher levels of acceptance use is related to lower levels of depression. The indirect path from COVID-19 impact to depression remained significant when acceptance use was included in the model (b = 0.36;p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results indicate that acceptance partially explains the relationship between the perceived COVID-19 impact and current depression. This study highlights the importance of incorporating acceptance use within treatment interventions for young adults who have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and may be struggling with symptoms of depression. DDD, COPI, R
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to major disruption, loss, and uncertainty for individuals throughout the world, including emerging adults. Recent work has revealed the profound psychological impact of the pandemic, with significant increases in rates of anxiety and depression. Mindfulness, the act of being present in the moment, has been shown to improve mental health outcomes among emerging adults. Therefore, it is critical to assess whether engaging in mindfulness can buffer against the impact of the pandemic on mental health in emerging adulthood. Methods: The current project explores the hypothesis that mindfulness use mediates the relationships between the COVID-19 impact and anxiety and depression among emerging adults. Participants for this IRB-approved study were recruited via online flyers in the United States. They completed a series of online questionnaires, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Likert-type items assessing COVID-19 impact. Analyses were conducted using SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4). Results: In the first analysis for anxiety (N = 309;Mage = 20.9 years;79.9% female, 9.1% Hispanic), the overall model was significant (F2,306 = 36.19;p < 0.001;R2 = 0.44). The paths from COVID-19 impact to mindfulness (b = –0.08;p = 0.019) and mindfulness to anxiety (b = –1.9;p < 0.001), along with the direct path from COVID-19 impact to anxiety, were all significant (b = 0.62;p < 0.001), indicating partial mediation. In the second analysis focusing on depression (N = 303;Mage = 20.8 years;78.8% female, 8.6% Hispanic), the overall model was significant (F2,300 = 51.43;p < 0.001;R2 = 0.51). The paths from COVID-19 impact to mindfulness (b = –0.08;p = 0.013) and mindfulness to depression (b = –2.7;p < 0.001), along with the direct path from COVID-19 impact to depression, were significant (b = 0.48;p = 0.003), indicating partial mediation. Conclusions: These findings further extend the literature demonstrating the beneficial effect of mindfulness on reducing poor mental health outcomes. This suggests that mindfulness is beneficial to emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventive intervention efforts aimed at addressing anxiety and depression during a pandemic should incorporate strategies to enhance an individual’s mindfulness. DDD, AD, COPI