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Bersia M, Charrier L, Zanaga G, Gaspar T, Moreno-Maldonado C, Grimaldi P, Koumantakis E, Dalmasso P, Comoretto RI. Well-being among university students in the post-COVID-19 era: a cross-country survey. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18296. [PMID: 39112645 PMCID: PMC11306340 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69141-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
University students have to handle crucial challenges for their future lives, such as succeeding in academic studies and finding attachment figures. These processes could potentially involve their well-being and mental health, with possible sociocultural differences based on the country of study. In order to explore such potential differences, a cross-sectional, multi-center survey was performed involving students from the University of Torino (Italy), Sevilla (Spain), and Lusòfona (Portugal). The survey, conducted from May to November 2023, investigated students' demographic and educational details, socioeconomic status, social support, mental health, academic environment, perceived COVID-19 pandemic impact, and future plans. Demographic profiles showed a predominance of female participants and straight sexual orientation, followed by bisexuality. Italian students showed the lowest levels of mental well-being and the highest rates of mental problems (anxiety and depression) and suicidal risk across the three countries despite the relatively similar profiles of social support. The prevalence of the students' confidence in their professional future is higher in Spain than in Italy and Portugal. This study provides a comprehensive examination of university students' mental health and well-being in three Southern European countries, addressing the major mental health challenges among university students and offering valuable insights for public health purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bersia
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - L Charrier
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - G Zanaga
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Post Graduate School of Medical Statistics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - T Gaspar
- HEI-LAB, Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C Moreno-Maldonado
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Sevilla, C/Camilo José Cela, s/n., 41018, Seville, Spain
| | - P Grimaldi
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Post Graduate School of Medical Statistics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - E Koumantakis
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy.
- Post Graduate School of Medical Statistics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - P Dalmasso
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - R I Comoretto
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
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Dubois-Comtois K, Suffren S, Lemelin JP, St-Laurent D, Daunais MP, Milot T. A longitudinal study of child adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic: the protective role of the parent-child relationship in middle childhood. Attach Hum Dev 2024; 26:301-324. [PMID: 38860559 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2024.2365192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
This longitudinal study assessed how parent-child relationship quality during the first COVID-19 lockdown was related to changes in internalizing, externalizing, and sleep problems during the first months of the pandemic: during lockdown, partial deconfinement, and total deconfinement. Participants included 167 children (9-12 year) and their parents recruited in the province of Quebec, Canada. Child behavior problems decreased between lockdown and the two deconfinement assessments, but more sleep and behavior problems were associated with lower levels of relationship quality (more conflict, less closeness, and more insecure attachment). Significant interaction effects showed that changes in externalizing and sleep problems varied as a function of parent-child relationship. Results support the critical importance of the parent-child relationship with regard to child adjustment in middle childhood in times of crisis such as a pandemic. They also highlight resilience in children aged 9 to 12, with a decrease in problems over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Dubois-Comtois
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- (CEIDEF), Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- Centre de recherche, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sabrina Suffren
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- (CEIDEF), Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- Centre de recherche, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Département de Psychologie, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
- Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles (CRUJeF), Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Pascal Lemelin
- Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles (CRUJeF), Québec, Canada
- Département de psychoéducation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Diane St-Laurent
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- (CEIDEF), Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles (CRUJeF), Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Pier Daunais
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- (CEIDEF), Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- Centre de recherche, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Tristan Milot
- (CEIDEF), Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, Canada
- Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles (CRUJeF), Québec, Canada
- Département de psychoéducation et de travail social, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
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Dragone M, Colella A, Esposito C, Bacchini D. Exploring the effect of environmental sensitivity on emotional fluctuations among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a three-wave longitudinal study. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1443054. [PMID: 39105152 PMCID: PMC11298977 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1443054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the emotional well-being of adolescents worldwide. Some studies suggested that individuals with high Environmental Sensitivity may have been more likely to experience poor psychological adjustment during the pandemic than those with lower sensitivity. However, there is still limited research on how emotional responses varied across different stages of the pandemic and whether Environmental Sensitivity increased adolescents' vulnerability to the psychological impact of prolonged pandemic restrictions. Methods To address this gap, this study used a three-year longitudinal design (2020-2022) with a sample of 453 adolescents. They completed an online survey measuring their positive and negative emotions throughout the pandemic period, with Environmental Sensitivity considered a time-invariant covariate. Results The results revealed that all participants, regardless of their level of Environmental Sensitivity, experienced a decrease in positive emotionality between the first and second years. However, this trend reversed, showing an increase between the second and third years. Regarding negative emotions, highly sensitive adolescents experienced a significant linear increase over time. In contrast, low-and medium-sensitive adolescents exhibited a quadratic trend, with a notable increase in negative emotions between the first and second years, followed by a slight decrease between the second and third years. Discussion These findings provide further evidence of the negative impact of the pandemic on adolescents' emotional well-being. They also support the notion that Environmental Sensitivity is associated with individuals' ability to respond and adjust to adverse life events, with significant implications for future research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Dragone
- Faculty of Law, Giustino Fortunato University, Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessandra Colella
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Esposito
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Bacchini
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Wolf K, Schmitz J. Scoping review: longitudinal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:1257-1312. [PMID: 37081139 PMCID: PMC10119016 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated containment measures have massively changed the daily lives of billions of children and adolescents worldwide. To investigate the global longitudinal effects on various mental health outcomes over a period of 1.5 years, we conducted a scoping review in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We included the peer-reviewed articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and APA PsycInfo that were published between December 2019 and December 2021, followed a longitudinal or repeated cross-sectional design, and quantitatively assessed with clinical questionnaires the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic or a related stressor on mental health indicators in community samples of children and adolescents.The results of our qualitative analysis of 69 studies indicate a general trend of less psychological well-being and more mental health problems, such as heightened stress, and depressive and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. Data suggest that both protection measure intensity and infection dynamics were positively associated with severity of the psychopathology. The most reported influencing factors were age, gender, socio-economic status, previous state of mental and physical health, self-regulation abilities, parental mental health, parenting quality, family functioning, social support, isolation and loneliness, health-related worries, and consistent routines and structure. Our results demonstrate that children and adolescents worldwide have experienced more mental health problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They call for improved access to child and adolescent mental health care and prioritisation of child and adolescent welfare in political decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Wolf
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Wilhelm-Wundt-Institute for Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Julian Schmitz
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Wilhelm-Wundt-Institute for Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Rimpelä A, Kesanto-Jokipolvi H, Myöhänen A, Heikonen L, Oinas S, Ahtiainen R. School and class closures and adolescent mental health during the second and later waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland: a repeated cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2434. [PMID: 38057763 PMCID: PMC10702082 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have shown deterioration of adolescents' mental health when comparing periods before and after the start of the pandemic when there were national school closures. Less is known of the following waves with more variation in school closures and their duration. We study here, if variation in school or class closures was related to adolescents' mental health, if the duration mattered, and if the relationships were gender sensitive. METHODS All comprehensive schools in Finland were invited to participate. Students (grades 7-9, age 13-16 years) answered digitally in November-December 2020 (n = 41,041) and April-May 2021 (n = 28,501). The responses were given anonymously. Mental health was measured by daily health complaints and moderate/severe anxiety (GAD-7, only in 2021). School and class closures were combined to a variable (yes/no). The duration of a closure was analysed in weeks. Logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS In 2020, 14% of pupils reported a school closure and 33% in 2021. The gender-adjusted odds for daily health complaints were higher among those with the school or class closure compared to those without (OR = 1.2 (1.1-1.3) in 2020; OR = 1.3 (1.2-1.3) in 2021). For anxiety, the corresponding OR was 1.3 (1.2-1.4). Girls had higher odds for both measures than boys and the non-binary gender had the highest. A one-week increase in the duration of closure had a small effect on daily health complaints OR = 1.05 (1.02-1.09) in 2020; OR = 1.05 (1.02-1.08) in 2021) and anxiety OR = 1.05 (1.01-1.08). Gender differences in the associations of the school or class closure with mental health were negligible. CONCLUSIONS A specific negative influence of school or class closures on adolescents' mental health was seen when comparing those who had school/class closure and those who did not during the further waves of the pandemic. The duration of closure had a small effect, too. The non-binary gender had lowest mental health, but the influence of school closure on mental health was mainly similar between the genders. School closures are one of the factors in adolescents' mental health, but not the only one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arja Rimpelä
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heidi Kesanto-Jokipolvi
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Myöhänen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Lauri Heikonen
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Education, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Oinas
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Education, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Teacher Education, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Raisa Ahtiainen
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Education, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Rappaport LM, Mactavish A, Mastronardi C, Babb KA, Menna R, Amstadter AB, Battaglia M. Monthly correlates of longitudinal child mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic according to children and caregivers. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:2637-2648. [PMID: 36484855 PMCID: PMC9734395 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02121-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Multiple reviews identify the broad, pervasive initial impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children, who may be particularly vulnerable to long-term psychiatric sequelae of the ongoing pandemic. However, limited longitudinal research examines persistence of, or change in, children's distress or psychiatric symptomatology. From June 2020 through December 2021, we enrolled two cohorts of families of children aged 8-13 from Southwestern Ontario into a staggered baseline, longitudinal design that leveraged multi-informant report (N = 317 families). In each family, one child and one parent/guardian completed a baseline assessment, 6 monthly follow-up assessments, and one final follow-up assessment 9 months post-baseline. At each assessment, the child and parent/guardian completed the CoRonavIruS health Impact Survey and measures of child anxiety, depressive, irritability, and posttraumatic stress syndromes. Children's mental health, indexed by the severity of multiple syndromes, fluctuated over the study period. Elevated local monthly COVID-19 prevalence, hospitalization, and death rates were associated with monthly elevations in children's reported worry about contracting COVID-19 and stress related to stay-at-home orders. In turn, both elevated monthly worry about contracting COVID-19 and stress related to stay-at-home orders were associated with monthly elevations in child- and parent-/guardian-report of children's emotional distress and psychiatric syndromes. This study illustrates the importance of, and informs the potential design of, longitudinal research to track the mental health of children, who may be particularly vulnerable to broad psychosocial sequelae of health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance M Rappaport
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, ON, N9B3P4, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Mactavish
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, ON, N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Carli Mastronardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, ON, N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Kimberley A Babb
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, ON, N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Rosanne Menna
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, ON, N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Ananda B Amstadter
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Marco Battaglia
- Child, Youth and Emerging Adults Programme, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Vicario-Molina I, Ortega EG, González RP, Picos AP. Factors predicting mental health in youth during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:317. [PMID: 37803388 PMCID: PMC10559502 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01367-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first COVID-19 lockdown decreed in Spain by the government resulted in a significant disruption in the daily lives of youth that may have affected their mental health. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influenced youth mental health during this period. METHODS Between March and May 2020, a sample of 1205 youths (age range 18-24 years) from across Spain completed a questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic, mental health, loneliness, coping with humour and healthy habits. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. RESULTS The proposed model showed good fit values, and significant variables explained 37% of mental health. loneliness, coping humour, healthy and unhealthy habits, and gender significantly predicted youth mental health. CONCLUSIONS The consequences of the pandemic and confinement derived from COVID-19 seemed to be especially severe for youth, increasing their mental health vulnerability. It is recommended that evaluating the long-term effects of confinement on this population, the mental health needs they may have and the support resources that would help meet them in situations of isolation, paying special attention to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Vicario-Molina
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Salamanca, Avenida de la Merced s/n, Salamanca, 37005, Spain.
| | - Eva González Ortega
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Salamanca, Avenida de la Merced s/n, Salamanca, 37005, Spain
| | - Ruth Pinedo González
- Department of Psychology, University of Valladolid, Plaza de la Universidad, 1, Segovia, 400005, Spain
| | - Andrés Palacios Picos
- Department of Psychology, University of Valladolid, Plaza de la Universidad, 1, Segovia, 400005, Spain
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Ravens-Sieberer U, Devine J, Napp AK, Kaman A, Saftig L, Gilbert M, Reiß F, Löffler C, Simon AM, Hurrelmann K, Walper S, Schlack R, Hölling H, Wieler LH, Erhart M. Three years into the pandemic: results of the longitudinal German COPSY study on youth mental health and health-related quality of life. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1129073. [PMID: 37397777 PMCID: PMC10307958 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1129073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose For the past three years, the German longitudinal COPSY (COVID-19 and PSYchological Health) study has monitored changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the mental health of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A nationwide, population-based survey was conducted in May-June 2020 (W1), December 2020-January 2021 (W2), September-October 2021 (W3), February 2022 (W4), and September-October 2022 (W5). In total, n = 2,471 children and adolescents aged 7-17 years (n = 1,673 aged 11-17 years with self-reports) were assessed using internationally established and validated measures of HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (SDQ), anxiety (SCARED), depressive symptoms (CES-DC, PHQ-2), psychosomatic complaints (HBSC-SCL), and fear about the future (DFS-K). Findings were compared to prepandemic population-based data. Results While the prevalence of low HRQoL increased from 15% prepandemic to 48% at W2, it improved to 27% at W5. Similarly, overall mental health problems rose from 18% prepandemic to W1 through W2 (30-31%), and since then slowly declined (W3: 27%, W4: 29%, W5: 23%). Anxiety doubled from 15% prepandemic to 30% in W2 and declined to 25% (W5) since then. Depressive symptoms increased from 15%/10% (CES-DC/PHQ-2) prepandemic to 24%/15% in W2, and slowly decreased to 14%/9% in W5. Psychosomatic complaints are across all waves still on the rise. 32-44% of the youth expressed fears related to other current crises. Conclusion Mental health of the youth improved in year 3 of the pandemic, but is still lower than before the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janine Devine
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Napp
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Kaman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lynn Saftig
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martha Gilbert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Reiß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Constanze Löffler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Robert Schlack
- Department for Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heike Hölling
- Department for Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lothar Heinz Wieler
- Department for Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Research Cluster Digital Global Public Health, Hasso-Plattner-Institute, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Michael Erhart
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Public Health, Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Apollon University of Applied Sciences, Bremen, Germany
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de Matos MG, Carvalho M, Branquinho C, Noronha C, Moraes B, Gaspar T, Guedes FB, Cerqueira A, Santos O, Rodrigues NN. COVID-19, Wellness and Life Satisfaction in Adolescence: Individual and Contextual Issues. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085600. [PMID: 37107882 PMCID: PMC10138421 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
During and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, several works reflected on young people's physical and psychological health. The Dual Factor Model, which we refer to as the quadripartite model, is useful for understanding children's and adolescents' psychological health and differentiating them regarding their attitude toward the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this investigation, students from the fifth to twelfth year of schooling enrolled in the DGEEC study "Psychological Health and Wellbeing in Portuguese schools" were considered. Four groups were created based on life satisfaction (low or high) and psychological distress (with or without symptoms). The study included 4444 students (M = 13.39 years ± 2.41), of whom 47.8% were male. Of the participants, 27.2% were in the second cycle of primary education, and 72.8% were in lower and upper secondary education. Differences in gender and education level (as a proxy for age) were observed. Additionally, when considering students' perceptions of changes in their lives following the COVID-19 pandemic (stayed the same, became worse, became better), these three groups were compared concerning personal and contextual variables, revealing significant differences at both the individual and contextual levels. Finally, the study discusses the influence of education and health professionals and the need for friendly public policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Gaspar de Matos
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
- APPSICY, ISPA University Institute, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Portuguese Catholic University, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Marina Carvalho
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
- Manuel Teixeira Gomes Higher Institute, Algarve University Hospital Centre, 8500-508 Portimão, Portugal
| | - Cátia Branquinho
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Noronha
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Moraes
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tania Gaspar
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
- HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Ana Cerqueira
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Osvaldo Santos
- ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno Neto Rodrigues
- Directorate General of Education and Science Statistics, 1399-054 Lisbon, Portugal
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Socio-Emotional Competencies Required by School Counsellors to Manage Disruptive Behaviours in Secondary Schools. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020231. [PMID: 36832360 PMCID: PMC9955336 DOI: 10.3390/children10020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
This article identifies the socio-emotional competencies of school counsellors working with children and adolescents. The aim is to address problems related to mental health and conflict and to implement training programmes. The study sample was composed of 149 counsellors working in schools. The instruments used were the CCPES-II (questionnaire on teacher competences) and a series of open-ended questions on conflict resolution. A mixed methodology was used, with a concurrent triangulation design with two phases: a quantitative one (QUAN) and a qualitative one (QUAL). Univariate, bivariate, and correlation quantitative analyses were performed. Parametric and non-parametric tests were applied depending on the number of dependent and independent variables. The qualitative analysis was performed with the NVivo 12 computer programme, which determines word frequencies using a classic content analysis. The results confirm the relationship between socio-emotional training and rapid response to school conflict; the generalised view that conflicts are difficult to anticipate and, thus, to prevent; and the demand for specific training in socio-emotional competences, intervention strategies, more specialised school staff, more time for intervention with and support for families, and more socio-professional recognition.
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Xie M, Feng Y, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Lin D. Associations between trait and state perceived stress and daily moods: COVID-19 stressful experiences as a moderator. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022:1-15. [PMID: 36468161 PMCID: PMC9685040 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03955-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Drastically disrupting daily routines, the global pandemic of COVID-19 has posed critical mental health threats to adolescents and young adults worldwide. Many of the extant empirical findings, however, have focused on individuals' psychological adjustment during the initial phase of the pandemic. It is less clear how COVID-19 stressful experiences impact young people's daily lives in the post-pandemic "new normal." Drawing on 7-day diary reports, the present study fills this gap by examining: (1) how daily perceived stress impacted daily emotional adjustment; and (2) the moderating effects of COVID-19 stressful experiences on these associations among 582 Chinese young adults (M age = 18.12, SD = .65; 69% females). Results indicated that higher levels of both trait (i.e., average levels) and state (i.e., daily fluctuations) perceived stress were associated with greater negative and anxious moods, and that prior pandemic-related experiences exacerbated the adverse impact of both trait and state perceived stress on daily moods. Specifically, young adults reporting greater COVID-19 stressful experiences demonstrated poorer emotional adjustment (i.e., lower levels of positive mood and higher levels of negative mood) on days when they had more fluctuations in perceived stress; the aggravating impact was stronger when the average levels of perceived stress were higher. By illuminating the moderating effects of COVID-19 stressful experiences, this study contributes to the limited, but burgeoning, research examining the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on daily emotional adjustment in post-pandemic life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Xie
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Ye Feng
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University, The Bronx, NY USA
| | - Yanjia Zhang
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Hongfeng Zhang
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macau, China
| | - Danhua Lin
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
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Barrera UDL, Schoeps K, Mónaco E, Antonio Gil-Gómez J, Montoya-Castilla I. Analyzing protective factors for adolescents' mental health during COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: A longitudinal study. EUROPEAN REVIEW OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY = REVUE EUROPEENNE DE PSYCHOLOGIE APPLIQUEE 2022; 73:100847. [PMID: 36345274 PMCID: PMC9630132 DOI: 10.1016/j.erap.2022.100847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the protective role of self-esteem and perceived emotional intelligence on mental health problems in Spanish adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Participants (N = 139; Mage = 13.83 years, SD = 0.96; 63.8% female) completed measures before the outbreak of COVID-19 (T1) and during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain (T2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants self-reported emotional intelligence, self-esteem, mental health problems and suicidal behavior. RESULTS Adolescent mental health problems were equally affected by COVID-19 pandemic according to gender, age and lockdown conditions. Adolescents with low levels of emotional intelligence and self-esteem at T1 showed a significant decrease in self-reported anxiety, depression, stress and suicidal behavior at T2. However, adolescents with average or high levels of emotional intelligence and self-esteem at T1 showed no significant changes in mental health problems at T2. Self-esteem at T1 meditated the relationships between emotional intelligence at T1 (clarity and repair) and emotional symptoms at T2 (depression, anxiety and stress). Furthermore, the relationship between self-esteem and anxiety symptoms was moderated by the number of people living together during COVID-19 lockdown. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the protective role of pre-pandemic development of self-esteem and emotional intelligence in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on adolescent mental health during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usue De la Barrera
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Konstanze Schoeps
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Estefanía Mónaco
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Gil-Gómez
- Instituto Universitario de Automática e Informática Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
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Li JB, Dou K, Liu ZH. Profiles of positive changes in life outcomes over the COVID-19 pandemic in Chinese adolescents: the role of resilience and mental health consequence. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2022; 16:13. [PMID: 35193652 PMCID: PMC8861996 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused enormous negative impacts on adolescents' routines, social interaction, interpersonal relationships, psychosocial well-being, and physical health. Nevertheless, theories suggest that individuals also often seek out solutions that may facilitate positive changes when they are faced with uncertainty and crisis. However, the existing literature has disproportionately focused on the negative effect of COVID-19 on adolescents, and scant research has examined to what extent and in what aspects adolescents would experience positive changes in times of the pandemic. This pre-registered research aims to bridge said gaps by: (1) exploring different profiles of positive changes in various life outcomes in Chinese adolescents over the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) examining the role of resilience in differentiating different profiles; (3) comparing adolescents' mental health across profiles. METHOD Participants were 2,567 adolescents aged 12 to 24 recruited from 32 provinces in mainland China (66.89% females; Mage = 19.87 years, SD = 2.02). Through an online survey, participants rated how much their lives of different domains had experienced positive changes since the outbreak of the pandemic. They also answered standardized questionnaires that measured their resilience and mental health. RESULTS Results of latent profile analysis revealed three profiles: limited positive changes (33.3%), partial positive changes (49.5%), and overall strong positive changes (17.2%). Moreover, adolescents with a higher level of resilience were more likely to be categorized into the partial positive changes profile compared to the limited positive changes profile and categorized into the overall strong positive changes profile compared to the other two profiles, after controlling for multiple covariates. Adolescents in the overall strong positive changes profile had better mental health than their counterparts of the other two profiles. CONCLUSION Chinese adolescents appear to experience positive changes in various life outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for those with high levels of resilience. Such positive changes have important implications on adolescents' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Bin Li
- grid.419993.f0000 0004 1799 6254Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Kai Dou
- Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, 230, Waihuan Road West, Panyu District, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zi-Hao Liu
- grid.411863.90000 0001 0067 3588Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, 230, Waihuan Road West, Panyu District, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Amorós-Reche V, Belzunegui-Pastor À, Hurtado G, Espada JP. Emotional Problems in Spanish Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. CLÍNICA Y SALUD 2022. [DOI: 10.5093/clysa2022a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Delvecchio E, Orgilés M, Morales A, Espada JP, Francisco R, Pedro M, Mazzeschi C. COVID-19: Psychological symptoms and coping strategies in preschoolers, schoolchildren, and adolescents. JOURNAL OF APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 79:101390. [PMID: 35095148 PMCID: PMC8786599 DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Giménez-Dasí M, Quintanilla L, Fernández-Sánchez M. Longitudinal Effects of the Pandemic and Confinement on the Anxiety Levels of a Sample of Spanish Children in Primary Education. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413063. [PMID: 34948673 PMCID: PMC8701149 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: The psychological effects of confinement due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic on children are only partially known. In Madrid, Spain, children suffered a strict confinement for 10 weeks and they returned to school under conditions that were far from normal. This work assesses the effects of the pandemic on the anxiety levels of a group of children living in Madrid. (2) Methods: Children were aged 6 to 11 years (N = 215). A self-report measure of anxiety was completed by participants at two time-points: (1) a few months before the beginning of the pandemic and (2) 1 year later. A smaller subgroup of participants also completed the measure during the confinement period (n = 60). (3) Results: A comparison of these three measures shows that the children’s anxiety was reduced during confinement, and that one year later these levels continue below those registered before the start of the pandemic. (4) Conclusions: These results contradict some previous studies, which found an increase in children’s anxiety as a result of confinement and the pandemic. The discussion considers protective and vulnerability factors in the context of the pandemic, which may affect children’s levels of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Giménez-Dasí
- Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Quintanilla
- Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
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