[Publication・Press] The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Japan's adolescent population, authored by Dr Hosozawa et al. has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Japan's adolescent population, authored by Dr Hosozawaet al. has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Using longitudinal survey data from approximately 2,000 adolescents in the Tokyo metropolitan area, we examined the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (from March 2020 to September 2021) on depressive symptoms of 16-year-olds.

The results showed that into the second year of the pandemic, depressive symptoms of boys worsened above the expected age related change. In contrast, depressive symptoms of girls temporarily improved during the initial school closure period and then returned to the pre-pandemic level thereafter.

These findings suggest the need for enhanced mental health support measures targeting adolescents, and especially for boys.

To access the paper, click here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856723021275