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The effects of social deprivation on adolescent development and mental health.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Tomova, Livia 
Blakemore, Sarah-Jayne  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1690-2805

Abstract

Adolescence (the stage between 10 and 24 years) is a period of life characterised by heightened sensitivity to social stimuli and the increased need for peer interaction. The physical distancing measures mandated globally to contain the spread of COVID-19 are radically reducing adolescents' opportunities to engage in face-to-face social contact outside their household. In this interdisciplinary Viewpoint, we describe literature from a variety of domains that highlight how social deprivation in adolescence might have far-reaching consequences. Human studies have shown the importance of peer acceptance and peer influence in adolescence. Animal research has shown that social deprivation and isolation have unique effects on brain and behaviour in adolescence compared with other stages of life. However, the decrease in adolescent face-to-face contact might be less detrimental due to widespread access to digital forms of social interaction through technologies such as social media. The findings reviewed highlight how physical distancing might have a disproportionate effect on an age group for whom peer interaction is a vital aspect of development.

Description

Keywords

Adolescent, Adolescent Development, Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, Child, Coronavirus Infections, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Mental Health, Pandemics, Peer Group, Pneumonia, Viral, SARS-CoV-2, Social Isolation, Social Media, Young Adult

Journal Title

Lancet Child Adolesc Health

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2352-4642
2352-4650

Volume Title

4

Publisher

Elsevier

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (via University of Oxford) (107496/Z/15/Z?)