Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term trends in youth depression and anxiety.
Bosmans, Mark W G de Vetten-Mc Mahon, Marjonneke Penders, Julie A C Rahmon, Imme J Marra, Elske Inja, Bob van der Marel, Tanja Dückers, Michel L A
Bosmans, Mark W G
de Vetten-Mc Mahon, Marjonneke
Penders, Julie A C
Rahmon, Imme J
Marra, Elske
Inja, Bob
van der Marel, Tanja
Dückers, Michel L A
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Journal Article
Article
Article
Language
en
Date
2025-12-30
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term trends in youth depression and anxiety.
Translated Title
Published in
Discov Ment Health 2025; 5:210
Abstract
Adolescent depression and anxiety have been rising in recent decades. Although reviews point at deterioration of youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, how this relates to pre-pandemic trends is unclear. This narrative review examines whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the long-term development of depression and anxiety among adolescents. A systematic search in PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase identified longitudinal or repeated cross-sectional studies using random sampling among youth (11–25 years). Out of 4,761 articles, nine met inclusion criteria. Most studies (7 out of 9) reported rising anxiety and/or depression rates pre-pandemic. During the pandemic, two trends emerged: five studies observed an amplification of pre-existing increases, while four reported a continuation of prior trends, none pointing at improvement. The majority of studies support the hypothesis that COVID-19 exacerbated existing increases in anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults. Additional longitudinal studies with randomized, general population samples are needed to determine post-pandemic developments.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44192-025-00311-5.