A Prospective Study of Mental Health, Well-Being, and Substance Use During the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Surge.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered everyday life worldwide, and some individuals may be at increased risk for pandemic-related distress. In a U.S. community sample (N = 236, 64% female; 78% White; M age = 30.3) assessed prior to COVID-19 and during the initial surge, we examined, prospectively, whether pandemic disruptions and a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were associated with changes in depressive symptoms, stress, sleep, relationship satisfaction, and substance use over time, and with concurrent anxiety and peritraumatic distress. Negative pandemic-related events were associated with significantly higher depressive symptoms and stress and lower satisfaction over time, as well as higher concurrent anxiety and peritraumatic distress. ACEs were associated with more negative pandemic-related events, which in turn associated with higher peri-pandemic depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety, and peritraumatic distress. Findings underscore that COVID-19 disruptions are associated with greater distress, and that childhood trauma is a key axis of differential risk.