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Reiss F, Cosma A, Bersia M, Erhart M, Dalmasso P, Devine J, Hulbert S, Catunda C, Gobina I, Giladi A, Jeriček Klanšček H, Ravens-Sieberer U. Adolescents perception of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and associated mental health and well-being: gender, age and socioeconomic differences in 22 countries. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2024; 18:86. [PMID: 39026340 PMCID: PMC11264767 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-024-00779-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19-pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of adolescents worldwide. This study examined the subjective perception of the COVID-19 pandemic measures and its association with mental health and well-being (i.e., loneliness, life satisfaction and multiple health complaints) among 13- and 15-years-old adolescents from 22 countries. METHODS Data from the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2021/22 study were used from representative samples of 22 countries (N = 67,544; 51.9% girls). The self-perceived impact of COVID-19 measure comprised 10 items asking about the impact on several dimensions of adolescent lives (e.g., relationships with family and friends, health, or eating behaviours). Measures of loneliness, multiple health complaints, and life satisfaction were included as indicators of mental health and well-being. A non-parametric multilevel latent class analysis considering individual and country-levels was conducted to identify classes of self-perceived impact of the COVID-19 measures. Multilevel logistic regression models adjusted by age and socioeconomic status were applied to assess the association between COVID-19 measure impact classes and mental health. RESULTS Three classes were identified on individual level encompassing a neutral (51%), positive (31%), or negative (18%) perception of COVID-19 measures. A third of the adolescents reported a positive impact of the pandemic measures. The distribution of classes was heterogeneous within and across countries. Within the positive COVID-19 measure impact class, social relationships were the most important dimension, whereas mental health problems were mostly represented within the negative COVID-19 measure impact class. Girls with a negative perception of pandemic measures showed higher levels of loneliness and multiple health complaints and lower life satisfaction. 15-year-old adolescents and those with a low socioeconomic status reported higher levels of loneliness and lower life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS The majority of adolescents perceived the pandemic measures as neutral or positive. Girls, 15-year-old adolescents, and those with low socioeconomic status were at higher risk of suffering from pandemic measures and associated problems of loneliness, multiple health complaints, and low life satisfaction. We conclude that adolescent's mental health and well-being should be considered in the decision-making process by ensuring that the unique challenges of adolescents are adequately addressed in policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Reiss
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Alina Cosma
- Department of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michela Bersia
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Michael Erhart
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Alice-Salomon University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paola Dalmasso
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Janine Devine
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabina Hulbert
- Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Carolina Catunda
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Inese Gobina
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
- Education and Research Unit, Childrens' Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ariela Giladi
- Faculty of Education, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Department of Education, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | | | - Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Almaradheef R, Alhalal E. Outcomes of adverse childhood experience during late adolescence: Evidence from college and community samples. Res Nurs Health 2024; 47:182-194. [PMID: 38217469 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22368] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Scant studies have investigated adverse childhood experience (ACE) outcomes and mastery during adolescence in different cultural contexts. This cross-sectional study examines the impact of ACEs on subjective well-being, health complaints, and healthcare utilization during late adolescence, including the mediating role of the sense of mastery in the Saudi context. Adolescents (N = 396) aged 17-21 years were recruited via convenience sampling from colleges and local communities from two regions in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a paper-pencil anonymous survey and analyzed using path analysis. Of the sample, 85.5% experienced at least one ACE. ACEs had a direct effect on subjective well-being (p = 0.034), health complaints (p < 0.001), healthcare utilization (p < 0.001), and sense of mastery (p < 0.001). Sense of mastery had an effect on subjective well-being (p < 0.001) and health complaints (p < 0.001), but not on healthcare utilization (p = 0.436). Sense of mastery partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and subjective well-being (p = 0.034) and health complaints (p < 0.001), but not healthcare utilization (p = 0.438). ACEs have detrimental effects on adolescent health. Attention should be paid to primary prevention and early detection to avoid further harm, and interventions that address the role of the sense of mastery should be developed for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eman Alhalal
- Community and Mental Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Fehkührer S, Humer E, Kaltschik S, Pieh C, Probst T, Diestler G, Jesser A. Young People and the Future: School Students' Concerns and Hopes for the Future after One Year of COVID-19 in Austria-Findings of a Mixed-Methods Pilot Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2242. [PMID: 37628439 PMCID: PMC10454506 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in enormous changes in everyday life and numerous burdens for adolescents. This pilot study focused on how young people look to the future in the face of these burdens. Responses to two open-ended questions on concerns and hopes for the future that were part of a larger online survey on the mental health of school students in Austria were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Subsequently, differences in the experiences of boys and girls, young people with and without a migration background and psychologically stressed and non-stressed young people were examined by applying a mixed-methods approach. Data collection took place from 3 February to 28 February 2021. From a total survey sample of 3052 adolescents aged 14-20, a representative sample according to gender and migration background (N = 500) was drawn. Qualitative content analysis revealed several areas of concern about the future, including school-related concerns, concerns about the further development of the pandemic and the associated restrictions, concerns related to a lack of locus of control, health-related concerns and concerns about social relationships. The analysis also indicated young people's greatest hopes for the future, such as hopes related to further pandemic development, hopes regarding major life goals, school, social relationships and health. Young people's experiences differ according to gender, migration background and the extent of psychological distress. This study contributes to research on the psychological well-being of adolescents during the pandemic and provides important insights into the subjective experience of young people. It aims to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the concerns and hopes for the future of young people in a time marked by various challenges. The results of the study should be used to develop ideas for measures, such as the expansion of school psychological services and low-threshold support services for students, such as school social work and counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Fehkührer
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Continuing Education Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria; (S.F.); (E.H.); (S.K.); (C.P.); (T.P.)
| | - Elke Humer
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Continuing Education Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria; (S.F.); (E.H.); (S.K.); (C.P.); (T.P.)
- Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kaltschik
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Continuing Education Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria; (S.F.); (E.H.); (S.K.); (C.P.); (T.P.)
| | - Christoph Pieh
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Continuing Education Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria; (S.F.); (E.H.); (S.K.); (C.P.); (T.P.)
| | - Thomas Probst
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Continuing Education Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria; (S.F.); (E.H.); (S.K.); (C.P.); (T.P.)
| | - Gertraud Diestler
- Österreichischer Arbeitskreis für Gruppentherapie und Gruppendynamik, Fachsektion Integrative Gestalt Therapy Vienna, 1080 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Andrea Jesser
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Continuing Education Krems, 3500 Krems, Austria; (S.F.); (E.H.); (S.K.); (C.P.); (T.P.)
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Jeriček Klanšček H, Furman L. Socioeconomic Deprivation and Inequalities in Mental Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6233. [PMID: 37444081 PMCID: PMC10341098 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136233] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the existing inequalities in education and mental health. The aim of this study was to examine socioeconomic disadvantages and mental well-being inequalities among Slovenian adolescents in October 2020. The study used nationally representative data from 3052 adolescents aged 14 and 18 (Mage = 14.4 and 18.4). The WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to measure mental well-being and risk for depression. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify differences in the pattern of associations regarding sociodemographic characteristics and experiences during the pandemic with poor well-being and risk for depression. Our study found that adolescents from socially disadvantaged families faced poorer conditions as regards academic performance, had fewer opportunities to socialise with friends online, and were more likely to feel lonely; they reported lower levels of mental well-being and were at a higher risk for depression. The unemployment of both parents and adolescents' perceptions of family wealth were found to be the most important predictors of depression risk. In addition, experiencing deprivation and economic hardship during the pandemic was also identified as a significant predictor. The study concludes that social and economic conditions were critical determinants of adolescents' mental health during the pandemic and that effective intervention is needed to promote their well-being and reduce inequalities.
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Rolf LR, Vestal L, Moore AC, Lobb Dougherty N, Mueller N, Newland JG. Psychosocial work environment stressors for school staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: Barriers and facilitators for supporting wellbeing. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1096240. [PMID: 36992895 PMCID: PMC10040557 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1096240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionAfter periods of remote and/or hybrid learning as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the return to in-person learning has been beneficial for both students and teachers, but it has not been without challenges. This study was designed to assess the impact of the return to in-person learning on the school experience, and efforts made to ease the transition in furthering a positive in-person learning environment.Materials and methodsWe conducted a series of listening sessions with 4 stakeholder groups: students (n = 39), parents (n = 28), teachers/school staff (n = 41), and a combination of listening sessions and semi-structured interviews with building level and district administrators (n = 12), focusing on in-school experiences during the 2021–2022 school year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A primarily deductive qualitative analysis approach was employed to code the data followed by a primarily inductive thematic analysis, followed by thematic aggregation, thus providing depth and identification of nuances in the data.ResultsThree main themes emerged around school staff experiences: (1) increased levels of stress and anxiety manifested in key ways, including students' challenges with personal behavior management contributing to increased aggression and staff shortages; (2) school staff described key contributors to stress and anxiety, including feeling excluded from decision making and challenges with clear and consistent communication; and (3) school staff described key facilitators that supported their management of anxiety and stress, including adaptability, heightened attention and resources to wellbeing, and leveraging interpersonal relationships.DiscussionSchool staff and students faced significant stress and anxiety during the 2021–2022 school year. Further exploration and identification of approaches to mitigate key contributors to increased stress and anxiety for school staff, along with increased opportunities for implementing key facilitators that were identified as important in managing and navigating the increased stress and anxiety offer valuable opportunities for helping to create a supportive work environment for school staff in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liz R. Rolf
- Brown School Evaluation Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Liz R. Rolf
| | - Liz Vestal
- Brown School Evaluation Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ashley C. Moore
- Brown School Evaluation Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Nikole Lobb Dougherty
- Brown School Evaluation Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Nancy Mueller
- Office of the Provost, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jason G. Newland
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States
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