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Association between COVID-19 risk-mitigation behaviors and specific mental disorders in youth.
Conway, Kevin P; Bhardwaj, Kriti; Michel, Emmanuella; Paksarian, Diana; Nikolaidis, Aki; Kang, Minji; Merikangas, Kathleen R; Milham, Michael P.
  • Conway KP; Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3720, USA. kevin.conway@nih.gov.
  • Bhardwaj K; Center for the Developing Brain, The Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA.
  • Michel E; Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3720, USA.
  • Paksarian D; Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3720, USA.
  • Nikolaidis A; Center for the Developing Brain, The Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA.
  • Kang M; Center for the Developing Brain, The Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA.
  • Merikangas KR; Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 35 Convent Drive, Building 35A, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3720, USA.
  • Milham MP; Center for the Developing Brain, The Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, USA.
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health ; 17(1): 14, 2023 Jan 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2214614
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Although studies of adults show that pre-existing mental disorders increase risk for COVID-19 infection and severity, there is limited information about this association among youth. Mental disorders in general as well as specific types of disorders may influence the ability to comply with risk-mitigation strategies to reduce COVID-19 infection and transmission.

METHODS:

Youth compliance (rated as "Never," "Sometimes," "Often," or "Very often/Always") with risk mitigation was reported by parents on the CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey (CRISIS) in January 2021. The sample comprised 314 female and 514 male participants from the large-scale Child Mind Institute Healthy Brain Network, a transdiagnostic self-referred, community sample of children and adolescents (ages 5-21). Responses were summarized using factor analysis of risk mitigation, and their associations with lifetime mental disorders (assessed via structured diagnostic interviews) were identified with linear regression analyses (adjusted for covariates). All analyses used R Project for Statistical Computing for Mac (v.4.0.5).

RESULTS:

A two-factor model was the best-fitting solution. Factor 1 (avoidance behaviors) included avoiding groups, indoor settings, and other peoples' homes; avoidance scores were higher among youth with any anxiety disorder (p = .01). Factor 2 (hygiene behaviors) included using hand sanitizer, washing hands, and maintaining social distance; hygiene scores were lower among youth with ADHD (combined type) (p = .02). Mask wearing was common (90%), did not load on either factor, and was not associated with any mental health disorder. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Although most mental disorders examined were not associated with risk mitigation, youth with ADHD characterized by hyperactivity plus inattention may need additional support to consistently engage in risk-mitigation behaviors. Enhancing risk-mitigation strategies among at-risk groups of youth may help reduce COVID-19 infection and transmission.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S13034-023-00561-7

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S13034-023-00561-7