Mental and Physical Health Before During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Physical, emotional and social changes, and exposure to certain behaviors can increase an adolescents vulnerability to mental and physical health problems. There is limited research into whether the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a change in mental and physical health and in that relationship has led to an increase in risky behaviors among adolescents. This study aims to examine the change in self reported mental and physical health among adolescents pre, during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A multi-year stratified study was conducted with data that was obtained each year from 2018-2022. Participants were college aged young adults between the ages of 18- 29 years old. Multivariate regression analysis and ANOVA will examine the relationship between self reported mental and physical health and risky behaviors.

Results: This research will aim to see how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted self reported physical and mental health controlling for behavioral patterns and risky behaviors in young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. The results of this study are hypothesized to show a decrease in self-reported mental health during the pandemic and post pandemic.

Discussion: With the results from this study, public health interventions can be directed towards our study population. Connecting with community partners who work with young adults will allow the researchers to better understand how these individuals have been impacted by COVID-19 and which programs can be created to help.