Insights From a Generation: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Young Adults’ Mental Health and Beyond

Purpose: Initial discussions about the COVID-19 pandemic often overlooked its impact on young adults. Our research aimed to explore how this group experienced the pandemic, and specifically how it affected their mental health, relationships, and careers. Methods: Data collection involved the use of in-depth semi-structured interviews. Using a pre-determined sampling frame, we purposively recruited 30 participants based on age, gender, ethnicity, and deprivation from the Neuroscience in Psychiatry Network (NSPN). The NSPN cohort, established in 2012, consists of 2403 young people aged 14 to 24 at baseline, recruited from Greater London and Cambridgeshire. Interviews were conducted in Autumn 2022; data were analysed using the framework method. Results: Participants were on average 28 years old (SD = 3 years, range 24-34 years; 53.3% female). The sample comprised individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with 40% from non-White ethnic groups. Participants’ perceptions regarding their mental health during the pandemic were organised across five domains including general impact, impact on social networks and dynamics, coping strategies, adaptation and personal growth, and work and education. Conclusion: Young adults reported experiencing profound personal growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, re-evaluating their mental health and career priorities. However, the pandemic also caused substantial disruptions, with many returning to their parents’ homes, facing career challenges, and lacking mental health support. Policy changes are needed to address these issues in the post-pandemic landscape.