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Mental Health of Young People during COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Implication for the Future

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2023) | Viewed by 15150

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Meichun Mohler-Kuo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. La Source, School of Nursing Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Interests: mental health; psychiatric epidemiology; cohort study; substance use; child and adolescent health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has been one of the most challenging public health crises in the world. At present, many countries are still struggling to manage their crises related to COVID-19. Emerging infectious disease outbreaks such as the current coronavirus pandemic often have a tremendous impact on the mental well-being of the population due to the fear of the disease itself as well as uncertainty. Many governments had to implement drastic measures such as lockdowns, social distancing and quarantine in order to prevent the collapse of health systems caused by the rapid spread of the disease. These mandated restrictive measures abruptly and dramatically affected people’s daily routines, work, school, travel, and leisure activities.

Children and youths could be especially vulnerable as we enter the third year of the pandemic, due to the disruption of routines, education, and recreation, as well as the concern for possible loss of family income or death of family members. According to the latest report from UNICEF, at least 1 in 7 children globally have been directly affected by lockdowns, whereas more than 1.6 billion children have suffered some loss of education. It has not only had tremendous impacts on the mental health and well-being of the children, adolescents and youths, but also on their caregivers and families. The current Special Issue encourages authors around the world to contribute original articles, reviews and meta-analyses dealing with the short-, mid- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on the mental health and well-being of children and youths. We are especially interested in what have we learned so far, and in the implications of the pandemic for the mental health and well-being of children and youths. A particular focus should be placed on trying to answer (or at least discuss) the potential risk and resilience factors and long-term consequences of COVID-19 in youth and the implications (preventive or intervention measures) for the future.

Prof. Dr. Meichun Mohler-Kuo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • risk factors
  • resilience factors
  • COVID-19
  • mental illness
  • mental health
  • prevention
  • interventions
  • youths
  • children
  • adolescents

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 394 KiB  
Article
A Mental Health Pandemic? Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Young People’s Mental Health
by Katrina Lloyd, Dirk Schubotz, Rosellen Roche, Joel Manzi and Martina McKnight
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6550; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20166550 - 9 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3091
Abstract
Background: Research indicates that young people have been a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to negative mental health outcomes following COVID-19, with some authors warning of a ‘mental health pandemic’. Materials and Method: Using a survey approach, this study explored the effects [...] Read more.
Background: Research indicates that young people have been a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to negative mental health outcomes following COVID-19, with some authors warning of a ‘mental health pandemic’. Materials and Method: Using a survey approach, this study explored the effects of lockdowns on the mental health of 1995 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland. Respondents completed the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) along with closed- and open-ended questions about COVID-19. Results: Results from regression analysis showed that being female, identifying as non-heterosexual and perceiving that mental health had worsened during lockdown were the best predictors of poor mental health. In the open responses, young people reported significant concerns about their mental health and their educational outcomes. They also felt that their needs were not given the same priority as those of adults during lockdown. Conclusions: The results suggest that the COVID-19 lockdowns adversely affected the mental health of many young people in Northern Ireland with the effects most acute for females and those identifying as non-heterosexual. Future research should explore the longer-term impact of the pandemic on the mental health of these vulnerable young people and identify what support mechanisms need to be put in place to mitigate the negative effects of any future crises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health of Young People during COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Implication for the Future)
11 pages, 2770 KiB  
Article
Triple Jeopardy of Minority Status, Social Stressors, and Health Disparities on Academic Performance of College Students
by Monideepa B. Becerra, Rushil J. Gumasana, Jasmine A. Mitchell, Saba Sami, Jeffrey Bao Truong and Benjamin J. Becerra
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(13), 6243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136243 - 28 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1619
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we evaluated the role of minority status, as well as pandemic-related social stressors and health disparities on short- and long-term academic performances of college students. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis using descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to identify participants of [...] Read more.
Objective: In this study, we evaluated the role of minority status, as well as pandemic-related social stressors and health disparities on short- and long-term academic performances of college students. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis using descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to identify participants of minority status as well as pandemic-related prevalence of social stressors and health disparities and their roles on academic performance. Results: Poor academic performance was significantly related to being food insecure, experiences of discrimination, serious psychological distress, and low daytime wakefulness during the pandemic but only significantly based on minority status. Grade point average was significantly associated with serious psychological problems among males, independent of race/ethnicity identity. Conclusions: Institutes of higher education, when tasked with developing post-pandemic policies to address equity gaps in academic success, may benefit their students by integrating system-wide holistic approach to support, including interventions on basic needs support and health and resilience building. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health of Young People during COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Implication for the Future)
16 pages, 1860 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Sleep Quality and Lifestyle in Young Adults
by Argyrios Eleftherios Barbouzas, Foteini Malli, Zoe Daniil and Konstantinos Gourgoulianis
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912333 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2312
Abstract
Due to the evolution of COVID-19,restrictive measures were implemented. The quarantine resulted in significant changes in the social, economic, and psychological status of the population; however, its long-term effects have not yet been elucidated, especially in young adults. In the present study, people [...] Read more.
Due to the evolution of COVID-19,restrictive measures were implemented. The quarantine resulted in significant changes in the social, economic, and psychological status of the population; however, its long-term effects have not yet been elucidated, especially in young adults. In the present study, people aged 18–25 years were studied, in relation to their sleeping, smoking, eating, and drinking habits and their physical activity before, during, and after the implementation of quarantine. We included 540 respondents (21.2 ± 2.3 years, 62.8% female). During quarantine, from 23 March to 4 May 2020, we observed an increase in sleep hours by 1.17 ± 1.98 h (p < 0.001), time of sleep arrival by 11.90 ± 30.41 min (p < 0.001), and number of daily meals by 0.66 ± 1.4 (p < 0.001). The subjects who consumed alcoholic beverages never or almost never had an upward change of 27.04%, and the time of daily exercise was reduced by 10.16 ± 48.68 min (p < 0.001). After quarantine, cigarettes per day increased by 1.14 ± 3.62 (p < 0.001) and the awakenings during night time increased by 0.37 ± 1.93 (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that the quarantine brought about significant changes in smoking, sleeping habits, physical activity, dietary habits, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages, some of which continue after its termination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health of Young People during COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Implication for the Future)
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11 pages, 325 KiB  
Article
Adolescents’ Experience of Stress: A Focus Group Interview Study with 16–19-Year-Old Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Camilla Perming, Åsa Thurn, Pernilla Garmy and Eva-Lena Einberg
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9114; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159114 - 26 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2958
Abstract
The purpose was to investigate stress among adolescents (16–19 years old) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Focus group (n = 9) interviews with students at upper secondary schools (16–19 years old, n = 41) were conducted in southern Sweden during the [...] Read more.
The purpose was to investigate stress among adolescents (16–19 years old) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Focus group (n = 9) interviews with students at upper secondary schools (16–19 years old, n = 41) were conducted in southern Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. The analysis revealed five categories of experience of stress: (1) School-related stress, (2) Stress in relationships and leisure, (3) How stress manifests itself, (4) Stress can increase performance, and (5) Experiences of counteracting stress. The adolescents in the study experienced stress linked to school and relationships, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic increased stress levels. The adolescents stated that high stress levels were experienced negatively and impaired their ability to perform, while moderate stress could contribute to achieving goals and improving performance. School nurses and other health professionals who meet with adolescents are important to support adolescents experiencing stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health of Young People during COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Implication for the Future)
17 pages, 768 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Associated Factors and Life Conditions
by Rosa Bosch, Mireia Pagerols, Raquel Prat, Gemma Español-Martín, Cristina Rivas, Montserrat Dolz, Josep Maria Haro, Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga, Marta Ribasés and Miquel Casas
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074120 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4307
Abstract
This study investigated the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among youth by analyzing their emotional/behavioral problems before and during the long-lasting lockdown in Spain. For that purpose, 699 parents with children aged 6–17 and 552 adolescents aged 12–17, who completed [...] Read more.
This study investigated the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among youth by analyzing their emotional/behavioral problems before and during the long-lasting lockdown in Spain. For that purpose, 699 parents with children aged 6–17 and 552 adolescents aged 12–17, who completed the parent and adolescent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at the beginning of 2019, responded to a survey from 26 May to 15 June 2020 that assessed psychological well-being and life conditions during quarantine (i.e., sociodemographic characteristics, situation before the lockdown, physical environment and accompaniment during the lockdown, COVID-related variables). According to both parent- and self-reports, children and youth experienced a significant worsening in emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, and total difficulties subscales. Findings also suggested that impairment was mainly associated with variables related to the child’s situation prior to home quarantine, the quality and quantity of the child’s social networks during the lockdown, the daily routines the child followed, the concerns the child had about health, and the presence of economic and learning problems caused by the COVID-19. Thus, the present investigation emphasizes the need for carefully monitoring the mental health of younger people, provides guidance for the development of interventions that mitigate some of the psychological difficulties faced in a situation of confinement, and highlights the importance of paying special attention to high-risk groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health of Young People during COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Implication for the Future)
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