The Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in Lithuanian Adolescents after the Second Prolonged Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Recent research highlights the impact of prolonged pandemics and lockdown on the mental health of youngsters. The second wave of COVID-19 brought an increase in mental health problems among young people. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the main factors arising from intra-individual, inter-individual, and environmental contexts that predict good psychological well-being in a group of adolescents after a second prolonged period of social restrictions and distance education. The study included 1483 school students from 11 to 19 years old. The survey assessed self-reported students’ psychological well-being (WHO-5 index), physical activity, sedentary behavior, school social capital, communication with peers and relationships with parents, existing emotional and behavioral problems. The results indicated that 58% of adolescents were of good psychological well-being in spring 2021, after half a year in lockdown. Almost 19% of adolescents had depression risk. The study revealed that during a period of prolonged isolation, male gender, better relationships between young people and their parents, the absence of serious emotional and behavioral problems, less sedentary behavior, and higher school social capital were found to be significant factors predicting adolescents’ psychological well-being. Lower physical activity is an important contributor to students’ poor well-being. Finally, the lack of face-to-face communication with peers was revealed as a specific factor in predicting adolescents with depression risk.

Exercise Motives of College Students after the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…It is known that female students exercise even less than male students [ 42 ]. Especially after the COVID-19 lockdown, it is known that lower physical activity is an important contributor to students’ poor well-being [ 51 ]. It is crucial to understand why PA habits of students are declining and also what is the motivation of those students that are regularly physically active.…”

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Admission on Families: Results from a Nationwide Sample in Greece

“…Historically, infectious disease outbreaks have had a severe effect on mental health [ 2 , 3 ]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social and sanitary measures, including quarantine and the widespread use of masks, were implemented in order to prevent viral transmission [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The large spread of the disease, the high mortality rate, and the encircling uncertainty caused severe psychological distress and have had a negative effect on society’s emotional wellbeing [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…Although the clinical symptoms of children infected with COVID-19 are milder than those of adults, and mortality is rare, studies showed that parents and children are especially vulnerable to feelings of emotional distress such as anger, depression, and irritability [ 2 ]. Many factors exacerbate their mental wellbeing, including quarantine, infection fear, frustration, and financial loss [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Many studies reported that teenagers were particularly affected, as quarantine caused a sudden interruption of all their social activities [ 6 , 7 , 14 , 15 ].…”

“…Many factors exacerbate their mental wellbeing, including quarantine, infection fear, frustration, and financial loss [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Many studies reported that teenagers were particularly affected, as quarantine caused a sudden interruption of all their social activities [ 6 , 7 , 14 , 15 ]. During lockdowns, they engaged in less physical activity, experienced irregular sleeping patterns, and followed unhealthy eating habits.…”

“…During lockdowns, they engaged in less physical activity, experienced irregular sleeping patterns, and followed unhealthy eating habits. All these lead to increased symptoms of anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and depression [ 5 , 6 , 14 , 15 ].…”