Perceived stress, coping strategies, and mental health status among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a longitudinal study

Abstract

This longitudinal, prospective study investigated associations between perceived COVID-19-related stress, coping strategies, and mental health status among adolescents during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic and one year after the lockdown in Switzerland within a large, national sample. A self-report on-line survey was completed by 553 adolescents (age-range 12–18 years in 2021) in the summers of 2020 and 2021, assessing symptoms of various mental health problems, perceived COVID-19-related stressors, and coping strategies. Overall, participants reported less COVID-19 related stress one year after the lockdown, though mental health status remained stable. ‘Challenges at home or with others’ were significantly associated with mental health problems in both genders, whereas ‘trouble getting medical care or mental health services ‘was associated with mental health problems in girls. Perceived stress and pre-existing psychiatric problem were significantly linked to all mental health outcomes at both time points. Parents’ poor relationships with partners during the lockdown was associated with increased anxiety symptoms in their children. Using cognitive restructuring to cope with stress was associated with less, while negative coping was associated with more anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms one year post lockdown. Girls appear to have been more affected by the pandemic than boys, with youths with pre-existing psychiatric problems especially vulnerable to its detrimental effects. Healthcare and school professionals should support to identify high-risk adolescents with negative and avoidant coping strategies and train youths to use positive coping strategies.

Digital interventions empowering mental health reconstruction among students after the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Given the uniqueness of the COVID-19 pandemic, most studies suggest that the mental health of adolescents has shown a deteriorating trend during the pandemic[ 4 , 5 ]. Other studies have also reported results consistent with the findings of Huang et al [ 1 ], indicating that the incidence of mental disorders among adolescents, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic[ 6 - 8 ]. However, the mental health status of adolescents remains concerning.…”

Social and Individual Factors Predicting Students’ Resilience: A Multigroup Structural Equation Model

“…On the contrary, Voltmer et al [75], examining two points-the year before the COVID-19 pandemic (2019) and the year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020)-in a study with German university students, did not find significant differences in perceived stress and self-reported symptoms of depression and only a minor elevation in anxiety between 2019 and 2020. Notably, in a longitudinal prospective study [76] during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic and one year after the lockdown in Switzerland, within a large, national sample of 553 adolescents (age range 12-18 years in 2021), participants reported less COVID-19-related stress one year after the lockdown, and mental health statuses remained stable.…”

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic–associated reduction in respiratory infections on infantile asthma development

“…The impact of COVID-19 will likely last for a long time, and the pandemic has had a tangible and intangible impact on the lives of all citizens, including mental aspects, 29 which must be taken into consideration. Our study found no significant difference in the smoking rate at home, even during the pandemic period, whereas the pet ownership rate decreased at age 18 months and recovered at age 3 years.…”