Most adolescents maintained stable mental health through the COVID-19 pandemic, despite widespread concerns about rising depression, according to a large US cohort study tracking young people before, during and after lockdowns.
Researchers analysed data from 3,512 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, following them from before March 2020 until February 2022. The findings suggest that while a minority of young people experienced a marked increase in depressive symptoms, the majority showed resilience across the pandemic period.
Majority remained mentally stable
The study identified three distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms. Most participants, 86.2%, were classed as resilient, showing consistently low levels of symptoms before and after the pandemic. A further 9.3% were described as depression susceptible, with low symptoms before COVID-19 but high symptoms afterwards. The remaining 4.5% had chronically high symptoms throughout.
Depressive symptoms were measured using six indicators, including low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep problems and concentration difficulties. Girls were substantially overrepresented in the depression susceptible group, making up 73.6% of that category, compared with 43.8% of the resilient group. Adolescents who were in late pubertal or postpubertal stages before the pandemic were also more likely to develop depressive symptoms following COVID-19 restrictions than those at earlier developmental stages.
Bullying and family conflict increased risk
Several prepandemic factors were linked to a higher risk of becoming depression susceptible. These included family conflict, peer bullying and cyberbullying, with cyberbullying showing one of the strongest associations. Young people who experienced bullying before the pandemic were significantly more likely to show a rise in depressive symptoms that persisted after restrictions eased.
A maternal history of depression was also associated with increased risk, underlining the importance of family mental health history. In addition, greater exposure to multiple environmental adversities before the pandemic was linked to higher susceptibility.
Genetic factors played a role as well. Higher polygenic risk scores for depression were associated with depression susceptibility among adolescents of European-like genetic ancestry, although this association was not observed among those of African-like ancestry.
Protective factors offer hope
Importantly, the study also identified modifiable factors associated with resilience. Higher levels of parental monitoring before the pandemic were linked to lower odds of developing depressive symptoms, as were stronger adolescent problem-solving skills.
The authors conclude that while most young people coped well with the disruption caused by COVID-19, a significant minority experienced lasting mental health difficulties. They suggest that interventions targeting bullying, family conflict and the development of coping skills could help protect adolescent mental health during future large-scale adversities.
Reference
Gataviņš MM et al. Adolescent depressive symptom trajectories from before to after the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(12):e2545987.
