I-LABS researchers Dr. Andrew Meltzoff and Makeda Mayes, together with their colleagues at UW and Harvard University, have co-authored a new study on teen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study provides important insights about how adolescents are coping with the COVID crisis and how families can promote resilience in teens and pre-teens. This research indicates that high exposure to pandemic-related stressors is associated with poorer mental health early in the pandemic and six months later. The researchers also provided practical tips for parents and kids. Better mental health was evident among teens and youths who followed structured daily routines despite the pandemic, and who had limited passive screen time, and sufficient sleep. Spending time outdoors in nature also appears to be linked to better health outcomes.
