175. Underdeveloped Vulnerable Brain Circuits and their Mental Health Correlates Predict Adolescent Emotional and Stress Responses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound adverse impacts on mental health in youth, especially in adolescents. Although the magnitude of pandemic-related stressors are only partially understood, the accelerated post-pandemic mental health crisis indicates that their effects are likely extensive and potentially long-lasting. Adolescence is a sensitive developmental period, during which environmental and experiential stressors can have profound negative impacts on the brain and mental health. It is currently unclear whether mental health problems and their neural underpinnings prior to the pandemic increased vulnerability to pandemic-related stressors.
Source: Journal of Adolescent Health - Category: Child Development Authors: Source Type: research