Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
Public Health. 2020 Dec;189:158-161. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.018. Epub 2020 Oct 28.
The number of people testing positive for Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) in the UK, particularly among young adults, is increasing. We report here on the mental health of young adults and related psychological and behavioural responses to the pandemic and consider the role of these factors in fuelling the increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this group.
An online survey was completed during the first six weeks of the first UK-wide lockdown by 3097 respondents, including data for 364 respondents aged 18-24 years. The survey included measures of mental health and indices capturing related psychological and behavioural responses to the pandemic.
The mental health of 18- to 24-years-olds in the first 6 weeks of lockdown was significantly poorer than that of older respondents and previously published norms: with 84% reporting symptoms of depression and 72% reporting symptoms of anxiety. Young adults also reported significantly greater loneliness and reduced positive mood, both of which were also associated with greater mental health difficulties.
We contend that the combination of mental health, social and economic considerations may have contributed to the rise of COVID-19 infections in young adults, and ascribing blame to this group will not aid our efforts to regain control of the disease.
英国检测出严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒 2（SARS-COV-2）呈阳性的人数，尤其是年轻人，正在增加。我们在此报告年轻人的心理健康状况，以及他们对大流行的相关心理和行为反应，并考虑这些因素在助长该年龄段 2019 冠状病毒病（COVID-19）病例增加中的作用。
在英国首次全面封锁的前六周内，3097 名受访者完成了一项在线调查，其中包括 364 名 18-24 岁受访者的数据。该调查包括心理健康测量以及反映大流行相关心理和行为反应的指数。
在封锁的前 6 周内，18 至 24 岁年轻人的心理健康状况明显比年长受访者和以前公布的标准差：84%的人报告有抑郁症状，72%的人报告有焦虑症状。年轻人还报告说孤独感明显增加，积极情绪减少，这两者都与更严重的心理健康问题有关。
我们认为，心理健康、社会和经济因素的综合作用可能导致年轻人 COVID-19 感染人数的上升，将责任归咎于这一年龄段并不能帮助我们努力控制疾病。
