Stronger together: Coping behaviours and mental health changes of Canadian adolescents in early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic

BMC Public Health

Research

Karen A. Patte¹  Terrance J. Wade¹  William Pickett¹  Markus J. Duncan¹  Negin A. Riazi¹  Mark A. Ferro²  Katelyn Battista²  Scott T. Leatherdale² 

[1] Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, L2S 3A1, Saint Catharines, ON, Canada;School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave West, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada;

关键词: Coping;    Youth;    Adolescent;    Mental health;    COVID-19;    Pandemic;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-023-15249-y

 received in 2022-06-08, accepted in 2023-02-09,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent public health restrictions on the mental health of adolescents is of global concern. The purpose of this study was to examine how Canadian adolescents coped during the early pandemic and whether different coping methods were associated with changes in mental health from before the pandemic to the early lockdown response.MethodsUsing two-year linked survey data (2018–2020) from a prospective cohort of secondary school students (n = 3,577), linear regression models were used to examine whether changes in mental health (anxiety [Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale], depression [Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression 10-item scale Revised], emotion regulation [Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale], psychosocial well-being [Flourishing scale]) were related to each coping behaviour.ResultsThe most common reported coping behaviours included staying connected with friends online (78.8%), playing video games, watching TV/movies, and/or surfing the internet/social media (76.2%), studying or working on schoolwork (71.0%), and getting exercise (65.2%). The use of positive coping mechanisms during the early pandemic period (e.g., keeping a regular schedule, time with family, time with friends online) was associated with less adverse mental health changes from before to during the early lockdown; whereas, negative coping mechanisms (e.g., spending time alone, eating junk food) were consistently associated with more adverse mental health changes.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the importance of social support and connections with both friends and family, as well as keeping and maintaining a routine, over the pandemic. Interventions supporting positive relationships and engagement in these coping behaviours may be protective for adolescent mental health during disruptive events.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

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