Abstract
Young adults are in a transitional phase from adolescence into adulthood. The transition presents several changes to various aspects of their life such as changes in interpersonal relationships and social environment. The social sciences, as a discipline, provide a vital perspective in understanding how the complex interactions between social forces and individual factors impact the mental health and psychological well-being of young adults. The COVID-19 global health crisis has undoubtedly impacted the status quo. There is a great concern as the global pandemic has influenced vital social structures for young adults which can exacerbate pre-existing risk factors of poor mental health outcomes. Therefore, how the pandemic impacts the mental well-being of young adults should be examined. This chapter first explores the contribution of social science research toward the mental health of young adults by drawing on prevalent theories. Next, it discusses current research on the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of young adults globally. Finally, the chapter provides suggestions for future directions in social science research in the field of youth mental health.
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Morshidi, M.I., Toh, MH.C. (2023). Mental Health Among Young People. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Social Sciences and Global Public Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96778-9_110-1
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