How Has COVID-19 Changed the Lives of Youth?

In today’s world, the impact of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of adolescents is undeniable. We’re witnessing a troubling trend: since the pandemic’s onset, young people have been grappling with heightened levels of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. Reports also proved the increased risks of sleeping troubles, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and substance use among this demographic. So, what’s behind these shifts? It seems school closures, isolation measures, lockdowns, and similar regulations related to the pandemic have all played a role in exacerbating these challenges. Further, gender differences are apparent, with girls and boys experiencing these issues differently, with a noted rise in internalizing symptoms, particularly in recent years.

However, it’s crucial to note that many studies examining these changes rely on one-time snapshots, potentially skewing the results. This is where time-trend studies come into play — research that tracks mental health changes over time, offering a clearer perspective on the evolving situation. The atest research looked into the mental health situation among Finnish 7th to 9th graders before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. By comparing data collected post-pandemic in 2023 to pre-pandemic data from 2014 and 2018, we aimed to uncover any shifts in mental well-being. Using consistent methodologies across all three data sets, including population-based sampling techniques and self-reported questionnaires, we gained valuable insights into internalizing and externalizing problems, self-harm, and help-seeking behaviors.

Our findings deepened our understanding of mental health trends in nine years, from 2014 to 2023, including the pandemic period. To generalize the results, we gathered data from two Finnish cities: Rovaniemi in the north and Salo in the south, providing a comprehensive point of view on the topic

So, what did we discover? The results tell a significant increase in anxiety and hyperactivity among girls following COVID-19. Interestingly, the data showed little change for boys during the same period. These findings show the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the specific mental health challenges faced by young people, especially in the wake of a global crisis like COVID-19. The findings tell the same story as the previous research, emphasizing the heightened vulnerability of girls to environmental stressors and threats.

Interestingly, we didn’t see a spike in smoking or alcohol use among Finnish teens after COVID-19. This is probably due to lockdowns and restrictions, but it’s definitely something that needs more research to shape future prevention strategies. It really shows how our surroundings affect our mental health, especially for young people.

Take Finland’s online mental health services during the pandemic, for instance. These might have given teens the support they needed to cope. Plus, with social venues closed—no clubs or parties—adolescents had fewer opportunities to drink or smoke. Also, spending more time with family and less with peers likely played a big role in keeping these habits at bay.

Xiao Zhang

The writer is a researcher in the field of child psychiatry at the University of Turku, with a keen interest in exploring the developmental environments that shape children’s well-being, including factors within schools, families, and broader society. Her research focuses on understanding the dynamics of child abuse, bullying victimization, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents. By delving into these critical areas, she aims to contribute to the development of effective interventions and support systems to promote the mental well-being of young individuals in diverse contexts.