Examination of School Connectedness as a Protective Factor for Adolescent Mental Health Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study sought to determine the influence of pandemic-related stress and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the protective role of school connectedness (SC).

Cohort data from the two-wave COVID Experiences (CovEx) surveys of US adolescents were analyzed. CovEx surveys were administered online in English to US adolescents aged 13-19 years using the NORC AmeriSpeak and NORC AmeriSpeak Teen panels, probability-based panels designed to be representative of the US household population. Data from Wave 1 (W1, October to November 2020 [N^W1 = 727]) and Wave 2 (W2, April to May 2021, N^W2 = 569) were analyzed. Pairwise deletion was used for missing data. Depressive symptoms were measured using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ W2), and symptoms of trauma-related disorders were assessed using the six-item Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC W2). SC was assessed at W1 and W2 using three items measuring: closeness to people at school; perception of teachers caring; and feeling like a part of school. ACEs since birth were assessed using eight items at W1. Items align with the core ACE constructs included in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ACE module and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Pandemic-related stress exposure at W1 was measured using the seven-item Pandemic-Related Stress Index (PRSI). Structural equation modeling was used to examine direct and indirect associations.

In each model, ACEs W1 and PRSI W1 were significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms and symptoms of trauma-related disorders. PRSI W1 partially mediated the association between ACEs W1 and symptoms of poor mental health, with higher exposure to ACEs W1 associated with higher PRSI W1 scores and higher PRSI W1 scores associated with more symptoms of poor mental health at W2. SC at W1 and W2 each were negatively associated with ACEs W1 and PRSI W1. SC W1 and SC W2 significantly attenuated depressive symptoms and symptoms of trauma-related disorders at W2 and therein partially mediated the relationships between ACEs, PRSI, and symptoms of poor mental health.

Findings illustrate the interplay between ACE and pandemic-related stress and their association with adolescent mental health and highlight the strength of SC as a protective factor. The results emphasize the importance of incorporating multisystem, trauma-informed approaches and prioritizing connectedness in efforts to address the adolescent mental health crisis.