Publication date: Feb 17, 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global mental health crisis, with increased rates of depression among adolescents, exacerbated by interventions such as social distancing and school closures. While widespread anti-epidemic experiences may have strengthened social cohesion and improved adolescents’ mental health, the long-term impact of the pandemic on mental health remains a concern, particularly regarding suicide-related behaviours. This study explored changes in suicide-related behaviours among adolescents with depressive symptoms during the pandemic. A cohort of 4245 students aged 10-19 participated in a school-based survey in 2020, followed by a follow-up in 2021. Cross-lagged panel analysis was used to examine associations between depressive symptoms, suicide-related behaviours and family functioning over time. Depressive symptoms increased from 2020 to 2021, with a significant rise in mild symptoms (95% CI: 15. 53%, 17. 78%), whereas severe symptoms decreased (95% CI: 10. 24%, 12. 14%) (p
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Chinese | adolescent |
| Depressive | depressive symptoms |
| Students | longitudinal study |
| suicide‐related behaviours |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | depressive symptoms |
| disease | MESH | suicide |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |