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. 2022 May;51(5):821-831.
doi: 10.1007/s10964-022-01593-6. Epub 2022 Mar 9.

The Impact of COVID-19 Experiences on Adolescent Internalizing Problems and Substance Use Among a Predominantly Latinx Sample

Elisa M Trucco  1   2   3 , Nilofar Fallah-Sohy  4   5 , Sarah A Hartmann  4   5 , Julie V Cristello  4   5 , Jonathan S Comer  4   5 , Matthew T Sutherland  4   5
Affiliations

The Impact of COVID-19 Experiences on Adolescent Internalizing Problems and Substance Use Among a Predominantly Latinx Sample

Elisa M Trucco et al. J Youth Adolesc. 2022 May.

Abstract

Given the salience of socialization factors on adolescence and their role in vulnerability to disasters and trauma, this study examined whether COVID-19-associated fears and impacted quality of life mediated associations between pandemic-focused family conversations and media exposure and subsequent youth mental health. A primarily Latinx sample of adolescents (N = 167; Mage = 16.2 years, 44.9% female) participated in a longitudinal (summer 2020-winter 2020) COVID-19 study. COVID-19 media exposure predicted engagement in relevant safety behaviors, which negatively impacted quality of life, which in turn predicted increased internalizing problems. COVID-19 family conversations predicted social distancing fears, which negatively impacted quality of life, which then in turn also predicted increased internalizing problems. Targeting key socialization factors may minimize negative consequences following major community trauma among adolescents.

Keywords: COVID-19; Family conversations; Media exposure; Mental health; Quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Conceptual serial mediation model. T0 = Time 0 (summer 2020), T1 = Time 1 (fall 2020), T2 = Time 2 (winter 2020)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Estimated serial mediation model. Values represent standardized path coefficients. Only significant paths are presented. Covariates and covariances were estimated but not depicted. Model fit: χ2 = (18, N = 167) = 26.36, p = 0.09, RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.03. *p < 0.05. ***p < 0.001
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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