Job insecurity linked to anxiety, depression in young adults during COVID-19

Editor's Note

New research from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and University of California, San Francisco; finds that young adults in the US are experiencing a significant mental health burden as a result of job insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The analysis shows that since March 13, 59% of US young adults experienced direct or household employment loss, and 38% were expected to experience direct or household employment loss in the coming 4 weeks.

The study also found that symptoms of anxiety and depression were common in this sample of young adults. In the 7 days before the survey:

• 75.3% reported being nervous, anxious, or on edge
• 67.8% reported not being able to stop or control worrying
• 66.8% reported they had little interest or pleasure in doing things
• 64% reported feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.

Policymakers need to consider the long-term scarring that may occur as a result of both employment losses and poor mental health, the researchers say.