Author ORCID Identifier
Alexandra M. Rodman: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4640-7159">0000-0003-4640-7159
Steven W. Kasparek: 0000-0002-6078-9328
Liliana Lengua: 0000-0001-8534-3982/a>
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-12-2022
Publication Title
Development and Psychopathology
Abstract
The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders resulted in a stark reduction in daily social interactions for children and adolescents. Given that peer relationships are especially important during this developmental stage, it is crucial to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social behavior and risk for psychopathology in children and adolescents. In a longitudinal sample (N=224) of children (7-10y) and adolescents (13-15y) assessed at three strategic time points (before the pandemic, during the initial stay-at-home order period, and six months later after the initial stay-at-home order period was lifted), we examine whether certain social factors protect against increases in stress-related psychopathology during the pandemic, controlling for pre-pandemic symptoms. Youth who reported less in-person and digital socialization, greater social isolation, and less social support had worsened psychopathology during the pandemic. Greater social isolation and decreased digital socialization during the pandemic were associated with greater risk for psychopathology after experiencing pandemic-related stressors. In addition, children, but not adolescents, who maintained some in-person socialization were less likely to develop internalizing symptoms following exposure to pandemic-related stressors. We identify social factors that promote well-being and resilience in youth during this societal event.
Keywords
developmental psychopathology, social behavior, adolescence, stress, life events
Volume
36
Issue
1
First Page
366
Last Page
378
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579422001250
Recommended Citation
Rodman, Alexandra M.; Rosen, Maya L.; Kasparek, Steven W.; Mayes, Makeda; Lengua, Liliana; Meltzoff, Andrew N.; and McLaughlin, Katie A., "Social Behavior and Youth Psychopathology during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study" (2022). Neuroscience: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/nsc_facpubs/155
Comments
Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.