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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Avenue de Sebta, Mhannech II, Tetouan 93002, Morocco
    Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Moulay Ismail University, BP 509, Boutalamine, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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. Ulber, 2021. "Changes in Adolescents’ Psychosocial Functioning and Well-Being as a Consequence of Long-Term COVID-19 Restrictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8755-:d:617533
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meichun Mohler-Kuo & Shota Dzemaili & Simon Foster & Laura Werlen & Susanne Walitza, 2021. "Stress and Mental Health among Children/Adolescents, Their Parents, and Young Adults during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Switzerland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Elizabeth A. K. Jones & Amal K. Mitra & Azad R. Bhuiyan, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Adolescents: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
    3. Xinxin Zhang & Wenfei Zhu & Sifan Kang & Longkun Qiu & Zijun Lu & Yuliang Sun, 2020. "Association between Physical Activity and Mood States of Children and Adolescents in Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Epidemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hang T. M. Nguyen & Hoang V. Nguyen & Btissame Zouini & Meftaha Senhaji & Kourosh Bador & Zsuzsa Szombathyne Meszaros & Dejan Stevanovic & Nóra Kerekes, 2022. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and Adolescents’ Psychological Distress: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Catrin Johansson & Britt Hedman Ahlström & Marijana Barac & Therese Berglund & Kourosh Bador & Nóra Kerekes, 2024. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Swedish Adolescents’ Mental Health, Psychosocial Functioning, Risk Behaviours, and Victimisation: Gender Differences and Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Renata Tambelli & Silvia Cimino & Eleonora Marzilli & Giulia Ballarotto & Luca Cerniglia, 2021. "Late Adolescents’ Attachment to Parents and Peers and Psychological Distress Resulting from COVID-19. A Study on the Mediation Role of Alexithymia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Sissela B. Nutley & Jonas Burén & Lisa B. Thorell, 2023. "COVID-19 Restrictions Resulted in Both Positive and Negative Effects on Digital Media Use, Mental Health, and Lifestyle Habits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Anis Sfendla & Kourosh Bador & Michela Paganelli & Nóra Kerekes, 2022. "Swedish High School Students’ Drug and Alcohol Use Habits throughout 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Roma Jusienė & Rima Breidokienė & Stanislav Sabaliauskas & Brigita Mieziene & Arunas Emeljanovas, 2022. "The Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in Lithuanian Adolescents after the Second Prolonged Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-13, March.

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