Changes in Adolescents’ Psychosocial Functioning and Well-Being as a Consequence of Long-Term COVID-19 Restrictions

Abstract

This work studied self-reports from adolescents on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their behaviors, relationships, mood, and victimization. Data collection was conducted between September 2020 and February 2021 in five countries (Sweden, the USA, Serbia, Morocco, and Vietnam). In total, 5114 high school students (aged 15 to 19 years, 61.8% females) responded to our electronic survey. A substantial proportion of students reported decreased time being outside (41.7%), meeting friends in real life (59.4%), and school performance (30.7%), while reporting increased time to do things they did not have time for before (49.3%) and using social media to stay connected (44.9%). One third of the adolescents increased exercise and felt that they have more control over their life. Only a small proportion of adolescents reported substance use, norm-breaking behaviors, or victimization. The overall COVID-19 impact on adolescent life was gender-specific: we found a stronger negative impact on female students. The results indicated that the majority of adolescents could adapt to the dramatic changes in their environment. However, healthcare institutions, municipalities, schools, and social services could benefit from the findings of this study in their work to meet the needs of those young people who signaled worsened psychosocial functioning, increased stress, and victimization.

A narrative review into the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on senior high school adolescent mental health

“…Activities that high school youth tend to do during the COVID‐19 pandemic during school closures are playing mobile and computer games, watching television, and socializing with family (Ranjbar et al, 2021 ). During the COVID‐19 pandemic, teenagers stated less time to do outdoor activities and meet friends face‐to‐face (Kerekes et al, 2021 ). Thus, teenagers are prone to conflict with friends, miss their friends, and fear losing closeness (Scott et al, 2021 ).…”

“…This pandemic is considered a threat to the social life of teenagers (Schwartz et al, 2021 ). Even so, teenagers stay in touch with their friends through social media and video games or chat with family and communicate with family via mobile phones or the internet (Esposito et al, 2021 ; Kerekes et al, 2021 ). Teenagers face challenges during this pandemic when family members do not provide support and debate with family members and relatives (Scott et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Behind the negative impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health, at this time, teenagers can do activities that they previously could not do due to lack of time. Besides, teenagers have the opportunity to be able to manage their daily lives (Kerekes et al, 2021 ). In addition, teenagers' use of illegal drugs and alcohol also experienced the highest decline during this pandemic (Miech et al, 2021 ).…”

School Nurses’ Perceptions About Student's Wellbeing During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sweden

“… Andersson et al (2021) reported significant negative consequences related to mental health and school performance. Kerekes et al (2021) highlights a gender gap for which girls felt worse, but the researchers also pointed out that many managed the adjustments to the new situation well. Accordingly, professionals at schools, including school nurses, needed to adjust and offer different forms of support to different groups of students in addition to taking advantage of the positive experience students have reported concerning distance learning students.…”

Early Adolescents' Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Changes in Their Well-Being

“…Interestingly, in this same study, connectedness to peers was not associated with mental health and well-being outcomes, which was explained as potentially resulting from the limited opportunities students had to interact with peers during the study period. In other research, students have furthermore identified potential positive impacts of the pandemic, including more time for activities they previously were too busy to pursue, increased exercise, and increased control over one's life ( 36 ). In two repeated-measures studies, social connectedness, perceived social support and consistent daily routines were also identified as protective factors for adolescent mental health during the pandemic ( 19 , 20 ).…”