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

Nóra Kerekes, Kourosh Bador, Anis Sfendla, Mohjat Belaatar, Abdennour El Mzadi, Vladimir Jovic, Rade Damjanovic, Maria Erlandsson, Hang Thi Minh Nguyen, Nguyet Thi Anh Nguyen, Scott F. Ulberg, Rachael H. Kuch-Cecconi, Zsuzsa Szombathyne Meszaros, Dejan Stevanovic, Meftaha Senhaji, Britt Hedman Ahlström and Btissame Zouini
Additional contact information
Nóra Kerekes: Department of Health Sciences, University West, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden
Kourosh Bador: AGERA KBT AB, 41138 Gothenburg, Sweden
Anis Sfendla: High Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, BP 57, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
Mohjat Belaatar: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Avenue de Sebta, Mhannech II, Tetouan 93002, Morocco
Abdennour El Mzadi: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Avenue de Sebta, Mhannech II, Tetouan 93002, Morocco
Vladimir Jovic: Department of Psychiatry, Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Rade Damjanovic: Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education in Sombor, University of Novi Sad, 25000 Sombor, Serbia
Maria Erlandsson: Department of Health Sciences, University West, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden
Hang Thi Minh Nguyen: Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Nguyet Thi Anh Nguyen: Department of Social Work with Children and Family, Faculty of Social Work, Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Scott F. Ulberg: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Rachael H. Kuch-Cecconi: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Zsuzsa Szombathyne Meszaros: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Dejan Stevanovic: Department of Psychiatry, Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Meftaha Senhaji: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Avenue de Sebta, Mhannech II, Tetouan 93002, Morocco
Britt Hedman Ahlström: Department of Health Sciences, University West, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden
Btissame Zouini: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Avenue de Sebta, Mhannech II, Tetouan 93002, Morocco

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-22

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.

Keywords: adolescents; COVID-19; exercise; gender; mental health; norm-breaking behaviors; psychosocial functioning; substance use; stress; victimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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