Cited by 1,383COVID-19 and Mental HealthChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentImpact of Technology on Adolescents

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 83 of the 86 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 51 of the 107 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

The effects of social deprivation on adolescent development and mental health

Open access
Orben, Amy, Tomova, Livia, Blakemore, Sarah-Jayne·2020·The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

Published version of a preprint

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.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30186-3

Cites

83 of 83 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

20 Partly supported · 18 No full text of the sources · 16 Own interpretation · 15 Supported · 14 Sources not found · 4 Supported so far · 4 No basis given · 1 Not supported · 1 Not checked yet · accuracy not yet measured

Show all 45 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 42
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 8
48 of 48
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Physical distancing measures to contain COVID-19 have removed many regular sources of social connection and are reducing adolescents' face-to-face contact outside their household.

    “Current efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have required sudden and commonly mandated physical distancing, removing many regular sources of social connection from people's lives.”
    “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.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is little research on the effects of social deprivation or isolation on human adolescent development or on adult humans in general.

    “There is little research on the effects of social deprivation or isolation on human adolescent development or on adult humans in general.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Physical distancing measures enforced by governments worldwide are causing a widespread reduction in face-to-face social contact.

    “With physical distancing being enforced by governments around the world, society is at the start of a period of intense and widespread reduction of face-to-face social contact.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Adolescence is a unique developmental period when the social environment is important for brain development, self-concept construction, and mental health.

    “Adolescents are at a unique period in their lives when the social environment is important for crucial functions in brain development, self-concept construction, and mental health.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Research on social isolation has almost entirely been conducted in animal models, and little is known about how social deprivation affects human development.

    “Research on social isolation has almost entirely been carried out in animal models and little is known about how social deprivation affects human development.”
5 of 5

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Metadata

Authors
Orben, A., Tomova, L., & Blakemore, S.-J.
Affiliations
  • MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (GB)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
Corresponding author
Blakemore, Sarah-Jayne
Venue
The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-08
Volume
4
Issue
8
Pages
634-640
ISSN
2352-4642 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3034871545
Cited by
1,383
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 155 · 2025: 232 · 2024: 238 · 2023: 227 · 2022: 262 · 2021: 208 · 2020: 57
FWCI
13.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
  • Apollo (University of Cambridge) (submittedVersion)
  • Apollo
Funders
  • Jacobs Foundation
  • University of Cambridge
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Austrian Science Fund
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
social deprivation, adolescent development, adolescent mental health, peer acceptance, peer influence, social isolation, online interaction, social media, brain development
MeSH terms
Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Adolescent, Child, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Mental Health, Peer Group, Pneumonia, Viral, Social Isolation, Coronavirus Infections, Adolescent Development, Young Adult, Pandemics, Social Media

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