Languishing: Experiences of emerging adults in outpatient mental health care one year into the COVID-19 pandemic

This qualitative study was conducted to assess the responses of emerging adults with pre-existing mood and anxiety disorders to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients from the First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program in London, Ontario, Canada, which treats individuals aged 16–29 with mood and anxiety disorders, were invited between April 16th–21st, 2021 to complete a survey on their current emotional states, activities and coping. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. A thematic analysis identified the theme of "Languishing," among responses comprised of 3 organizing subthemes: "Dominance of Negative Emotion," "Waiting and Stagnating," and "Loss of Opportunity." This study suggests that emerging adults with pre-existing mental illness languished as the pandemic and associated restrictions persisted. Emphasis on "Coping through Intentional Action," a separate theme identified among those coping well, may be protective for this group.

Jeremy Chitpin, Michael Wammes, James Ross, Aiswarya Pillai, Jazzmin Demy, Chloe Carter, Paul Tremblay, Evelyn Vingilis, Elizabeth Osuch