Cross-lagged regression study on daily stress, mental health, and psychological burden among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, young adults have experienced many maladaptive symptoms that have consequently affected their mental health. Most studies have examined the risk factors of mental health while ignoring the protective factors. This longitudinal study aims to investigate whether daily stress, depression, anxiety and stress, and positive mental health have a predictive effect on the psychological burden of COVID-19. We conducted three follow-up surveys in 2014 (T1), 2015 (T2), and 2020 (T3) to understand the predictive effect of daily stress and mental health on the psychological burden of COVID-19 on young adults. Data were assessed in 2014 (T1) and 2015 (T2) using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21), positive mental health scale (PMH), and brief daily stressor screening scale (BDSS), and in 2020 (T3), where we incorporated the psychological burden of COVID-19 to evaluate its psychological burden status on young adults. A total of 556 young adults participated in three surveys. Cross-lagged analysis indicated that (1) daily stress at T1 significantly predicted DASS and PMH at T2, DASS at T2 significantly predicted the psychological burden of COVID-19 at T3, but PMH at T2 could not predict the psychological burden of COVID-19 at T3; (2) PMH at T1 significantly predicted daily stress and DASS at T2, which significantly predicted the psychological burden of COVID-19 at T3. Individuals with low daily stress and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms can still maintain a low psychological burden during the pandemic.