Adolescents in the Covid Net: What Impact on their Mental Health?

How Distressed Are Adolescent Students? A Mix-Method Study on High School Students in Northern Italy, Two Years after the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Adolescence is a central phase for the development of a person's identity, involving complex multidimensional changes and increasing vulnerability to distress. This study aimed to investigate the psychological well-being of adolescent students in Brescia (Northern Italy), two years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey investigated the extent and the reasons reported by high school students (13-21 years) for their emotional distress (ED), also considering other factors such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep and smartphone overuse. The main reasons for ED were classified through a qualitative analysis of the free-text answers. A total of 1686 students agreed to participate, and 50% showed a presence of ED. According to a multiple logistic analysis, adolescents were more at risk of ED if they were female (AdjOR 2.3), older (AdjOR 1.6), slept less than 8 h (AdjOR 1.5), perceived increased anxiety (AdjOR 3.4), and adopted certain eating behaviors, e.g., comfort food consumption (AdjOR 2.0). According to free-text answers, the main reasons for ED were "school pressure", "relationships with family and peers", "negative emotional states" and "the pandemic". The results show a high level of ED among adolescents, and the reported reasons may help to better address their psychological needs after the pandemic.

Psychosocial Trauma History Negatively Impacts Liver Transplant Access in Women with Chronic Liver Disease

Introduction

Few studies have evaluated the impact of psychological trauma (mental, emotional, or physical) on liver transplant (LT) candidacy and outcomes.

Methods

We performed a single center retrospective analysis of patients who completed routine LT evaluation between October 2017 and June 2021. We identified the prevalence of psychological trauma history in men and women LT candidates and evaluated the association between trauma history and LT access. The primary outcome measure was listing for LT.

Results

A total of 463 patients completed LT evaluation, of which 17% (n = 79) reported a history of trauma: 49 of 159 women and 30 of 304 men. Trauma history was significantly more common in women than in men (31% vs. 10%, p < 0.001). Women with trauma history were less likely to be listed for LT (80% vs. 93%, p = 0.016). Women with trauma history were also more likely to be removed from the LT waitlist (26% vs. 12%, p = 0.045); this persists when excluding patients removed for transfer to another center or for medical improvement (22% vs. 7%, p = 0.020). In contrast, listing for LT (87% vs. 86%, p = 0.973) and waitlist removal (12% vs. 10%, p = 0.766) did not differ in men with and without trauma history. In those that received a LT (n = 107), post-LT relapse, rejection, readmissions, and death did not differ in patients with (n=13)and without (n=94) trauma history.

Conclusions

Trauma history is associated with reduced access to LT in women but not men with chronic liver disease. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of psychological trauma on LT access and post-LT outcomes.

Exploring differences in substance use behaviours among gender minority and non-gender minority youth: a cross-sectional analysis of the COMPASS study

INTRODUCTION

Research characterizing substance use disparities between gender minority youth (GMY) and non-GMY (i.e. girls and boys) is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in substance use behaviours among gender identity (GI) groups and identify associated risk and protective factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from Canadian secondary school students (n = 42 107) that participated in Year 8 (2019/20) or Year 9 (2020/21) of the COMPASS study were used. Hierarchal logistic regression models estimated current substance use (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, binge drinking, cannabis and nonmedical prescription opioids [NMPOs]). Predictor variables included sociodemographics, other substances, mental health outcomes, school connectedness, bullying and happy home life. Interaction terms were used to test mental health measures as moderators in the association between GI and substance use.

RESULTS

Compared to non-GMY, GMY reported a higher prevalence for all substance use outcomes. In the adjusted analyses, GMY had higher odds of cigarette, cannabis and NMPO use and lower odds for e-cigarette use relative to non-GMY. The likelihood of using any given substance was higher among individuals who were involved with other substances. School connectedness and happy home life had a protective effect for all substances except binge drinking. Bullying victimization was associated with greater odds of cigarette, e-cigarette use and NMPOs. Significant interactions between GI and all mental health measures were detected.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight the importance of collecting a GI measure in youth population surveys and prioritizing GMY in substance use-related prevention, treatment and harm reduction programs. Future studies should investigate the effects of GI status on substance use onset and progression among Canadian adolescents over time.