Study shows boys' depressive symptoms rose with pandemic, but girls' improved during initial school closures

study shows boys' depressive symptoms rose with pandemic, but girls' improved during initial school closures

Study Period and the COVID-19 Context in Tokyo, Japan. Credit: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.08.016

A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that girls and boys were affected differently by the pandemic. The study focused on depressive symptoms among 16-year-olds surveyed during the pandemic compared to those surveyed pre-pandemic.

There was an increase in depressive symptoms in boys beyond the expected age-related trajectory, which emerged later in the first year of the pandemic and then early into the second year. In contrast, the overall increase in depressive symptoms for girls was within the expected natural age-related increase.

Studies report a decline in adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many of these studies lacked pre-pandemic comparison data or did not consider the natural age-related changes in mental health problems experienced during adolescence, making it challenging to accurately evaluate the impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health. Moreover, many studies focused on the initial months of the pandemic; therefore, little is known about the impact of the pandemic into the second year.

This longitudinal study utilized data from 2,034 adolescents in the Tokyo Teen Cohort, a population-based cohort in Tokyo, which continuously collected data throughout the pandemic. The study compared self-reported depressive symptoms of 16-year-olds surveyed before (February 2019–February 2020) or during the pandemic (March 2020–September 2021).

Importantly, the study is innovative by comparing symptoms of 16-year-olds before or during the pandemic while controlling for within-person symptom changes, which allowed the researchers to determine whether changes in depressive symptoms were within the expected sex- and age-related trajectories.

Depressive symptoms showed a small but significant increase during the pandemic; however, this increase varied by sex and pandemic phase. While girls showed greater average depressive symptoms than boys at age 16, a significant increase during the pandemic was observed only in boys. For boys, the increase emerged in the late first year of the pandemic and enlarged into the second year.

In contrast, girls' depressive symptoms decreased in the school-closure phase (March–May, 2020) during the early pandemic period, and returned to the pre-pandemic level after the reopening of schools, with no additional increases during the pandemic. No differences by household income were observed.

Mariko Hosozawa, MD, Ph.D., lead author from the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, said "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of adolescents in Tokyo was more pronounced among boys. This may partly be due to extended restrictions on school activity for infection control, which may have affected boys more, and to gendered social norms that discourage boys from seeking help."

She adds, "The findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and approaches to support adolescent mental health at the population level. Changing social norms around help-seeking and encouraging help-seeking for mental health issues, particularly among boys, is an important approach. Implementing these approaches and accumulating scientific evidence on the pandemic's effects on adolescent mental health, will help enhance pandemic preparedness and build a more resilient society."

More information: Mariko Hosozawa et al, Sex Differences in Adolescent Depression Trajectory Before and Into the Second Year of COVID-19 Pandemic, Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.08.016

Provided by Elsevier

This story was originally published on Medical Xpress. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates.

OTHER NEWS

15 minutes ago

Aussies feel social media fails to stop 'scam war'

15 minutes ago

Clarence Thomas just confirmed the dangers of his favorite judicial philosophy

15 minutes ago

Poilievre to attend AFN annual general assembly for first time as Conservative leader

15 minutes ago

Bayern Munich maintain pursuit of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha

15 minutes ago

Monica Lewinsky wants Judge Aileen Cannon overseeing Trump classified docs case impeached

15 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu relishing 'being independent' after stunning Sloane Stephens win in Eastbourne

15 minutes ago

Game of Thrones star Ian Gelder left £250,000 estate to his husband

15 minutes ago

‘In Over Her Head’: Judge Aileen Cannon Hands Trump Another Gift

15 minutes ago

Some of the youngest Fortune 500 CFOs share an interesting common thread: They’re homegrown talent

15 minutes ago

Massive auto dealer outage: CDK Global says it won’t be able to come back online this month

18 minutes ago

Jim Cramer's top picks for pet-centric stocks

18 minutes ago

Vinnie Viola delivers on promise as Florida Panthers win first-ever Stanley Cup

21 minutes ago

Nvidia shares surge nearly 7%, bouncing after $430 billion market slump

21 minutes ago

2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic DFS: Optimal DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy golf picks, lineups, strategy

21 minutes ago

Calgarians may see full water service restored earlier than expected: mayor

21 minutes ago

The tragic reason why there are no great white sharks in aquariums

21 minutes ago

Now is the time to bite the bullet and lock your savings away for longer, says SYLVIA MORRIS

21 minutes ago

I Am: Celine Dion – A cross between Spinal Tap, Sunset Boulevard and a harrowing medical documentary

21 minutes ago

Vertu warns of 'volatility' ahead despite recovery in used vehicle sales

21 minutes ago

Americans of today 'shouldn't have to pay for pains of the past': Kate Sanchez

21 minutes ago

Ukraine brings back 90 POWs from Russian captivity

22 minutes ago

Kendrick Perkins calls Brian Scalabrine 'coward' after former teammate claims he's banned from Celtics parade

22 minutes ago

Roy Keane names the one England player with 'X-factor' after drab draw with Slovenia... as he admits he's 'always excited to watch' the 'amazing' Three Lions star

22 minutes ago

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers in talks over move to PAOK Salonika as Ibrox squad rebuild gathers pace

22 minutes ago

Gary Neville slams 'BASIC' England and admits bore draw with Slovenia was a 'struggle to watch' - as he names the one player 'certain' to start in the last-16

22 minutes ago

Judge blocks Michigan's abortion waiting period, 2 years after voters approved abortion rights

22 minutes ago

Bill allowing doctor-assisted suicide approved by Delaware lawmakers

24 minutes ago

Late Late Show and Fair City to be made outside RTÉ in post-Ryan Tubridy plan

24 minutes ago

Dad of first baby given life-saving drug calls for NHS to test all newborns as standard

24 minutes ago

EuroMillions results: Winning lottery numbers for Tuesday June 25

25 minutes ago

'It's too little, too late'

25 minutes ago

The story behind Aubrey Modiba’s tricks at Bafana Bafana and playing home games in Bloem

25 minutes ago

Kaizer Chiefs: THIRD and FOURTH club departures imminent!

25 minutes ago

Eamonn Holmes opens up about 'operation that went wrong' in emotional Tric Awards speech

25 minutes ago

Firebirds Season Comes To An End After 5-4 Overtime Loss To The Bears In Game 6

25 minutes ago

A desperate draw against Slovenia but dreary England continue failing upwards

25 minutes ago

Serbia exit Euros frustrated at what might have been

25 minutes ago

Singaporean households can now redeem $300 CDC vouchers

25 minutes ago

Rivian soars after new joint venture partner Volkswagen invests $5B

25 minutes ago

Orchard Road fatal brawl: Man who punched, kicked victim jailed over 12 months