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Johansson C, Hedman Ahlström B, Barac M, Berglund T, Bador K, Kerekes N. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Swedish Adolescents' Mental Health, Psychosocial Functioning, Risk Behaviours, and Victimisation: Gender Differences and Implications. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:604. [PMID: 38791818 PMCID: PMC11121272 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown varying effects on adolescents' mental health, psychosocial functioning, risk behaviours, and victimisation. This study aims to examine the changes reported by a sample of Swedish adolescents (N = 1607) at the end of the first year of the pandemic in relation to these factors. Data were collected with an electronic survey between September 2020 and February 2021, targeting upper-secondary high school students (aged 15-19 years). The results indicate a relatively low overall impact of the pandemic on Swedish upper-secondary school students, with notable gender differences. Compared to adolescent women, a higher percentage of adolescent men reported experiencing elevated levels of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, anger, and increased illicit drug use as consequences of the pandemic. In contrast, women demonstrated an increase in several salutogenic behaviours. Victimisation rates generally decreased during this period. These findings underscore the importance of heightened awareness among professionals within schools, social services, and healthcare settings regarding the distinct challenges encountered by a larger portion of adolescent men during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrin Johansson
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, 461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden (N.K.)
- Centre for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Britt Hedman Ahlström
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, 461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden (N.K.)
- Centre for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Marijana Barac
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, 461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden (N.K.)
| | - Therese Berglund
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, 461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden (N.K.)
| | - Kourosh Bador
- Centre for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
- AGERA KBT, 411 38 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nóra Kerekes
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, 461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden (N.K.)
- Centre for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
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Johansson C, Kullgren C, Bador K, Kerekes N. Gender non-binary adolescents' somatic and mental health throughout 2020. Front Psychol 2022; 13:993568. [PMID: 36619033 PMCID: PMC9816129 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.993568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-binary gender adolescents are particularly vulnerable and more likely to be exposed to several socio-psychological difficulties and disorders. It is vital to discover and act on the vulnerabilities they encounter. The present study aims to describe the somatic and mental health, affect state, frequency of risk behaviors, victimization and negative psychosocial factors, as well as the personality profiles of non-binary adolescents. In this study the concept of gender non-binary is used and captured respondents who selected "neither of these" as their gender from the possible options (female/male/neither of these). Materials and methods Data was collected between September 2020 and February 2021 in Sweden, Morocco, Serbia, Vietnam, and the United States. The cross-sectional, retrospective study utilized the electronic version of the Mental and Somatic Health without borders (MeSHe) survey. From the over 5,000 responses of 15-19-year-old adolescents, 58 respondents identified as being non-binary, and built our study population. Their data was analyzed with descriptive statistic methods. Results Close to a fourth of adolescents identifying as non-binary reported the existence of at least one somatic disease. The most prevalent somatic disease was allergies. Almost one-third had suffered from pain either often or all the time in the past 12 months. The highest levels of perceived psychological distress were measured using obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, and interpersonal sensitivity. The average level of alcohol and drug use during the past 12 months was low. About 40% of non-binary adolescents reported having experienced physical abuse, and half of them experienced psychological abuse at some point in their lives. Seventeen percent reported living with adults with alcohol-use problems. Non-binary adolescents' personalities were found to be dominated by high scores in Openness, Neuroticism, and Agreeableness. Conclusion This study presents a detailed biopsychosocial picture of a multinational sample of non-binary adolescents. Our study suggests that awareness and support are required from all fields of society, including family, school, healthcare, and educational institutions, for cis-normative culture to progress toward a greater understanding of and respect for gender diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrin Johansson
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
| | - Carina Kullgren
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
| | - Kourosh Bador
- Agera KBT AB, Gothenburg, Sweden,Center for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nóra Kerekes
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden,Center for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), Mölndal, Sweden,*Correspondence: Nóra Kerekes,
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Sfendla A, Bador K, Paganelli M, Kerekes N. Swedish High School Students' Drug and Alcohol Use Habits throughout 2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16928. [PMID: 36554808 PMCID: PMC9779023 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study describes gender-specific patterns in alcohol and drug use among Swedish high school students throughout 2020 and questions the current cutoffs for identifying addiction in this population. From September 2020 to February 2021, 1590 Swedish upper secondary high school students (mean age 17.15 years, age range 15-19 years, 39.6% male, and 60.4% female) completed the anonymous, electronic survey of the Mental and Somatic Health without borders study. The respondents reported their substance use habits during the previous 12 months using the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). They also answered questions about changes in their alcohol and illegal drug use habits after the COVID-19 outbreak. No gender differences were detected in the prevalence and degree of alcohol use. Compared to female adolescents, significantly more male adolescents used drugs (and to a significantly higher degree, although with a small effect size). Substance use problems peaked in females at age 17 and in males at age 18. The COVID-19 outbreak affected alcohol consumption and illegal drug use in male and female adolescents similarly. For both genders, of those who used illegal drugs, over 40% reported increased use after the outbreak. Our results reinforce previous suggestions of the narrowing of gender differences in Swedish adolescents' risk behaviors and challenge the previously validated gender-specific cutoffs for the AUDIT and DUDIT. An improved understanding of the impacts of gender diversity and evolving gender roles and norms on behaviors and mental health is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Sfendla
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tetouan 93000, Morocco
- Center for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Kourosh Bador
- Center for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
- AGERA KBT, 411 38 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michela Paganelli
- Center for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nóra Kerekes
- Center for Holistic Psychiatry Research (CHoPy), 431 60 Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, 461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden
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Kerekes N, Lundqvist S, Schubert Hjalmarsson E, Torinsson Naluai Å, Kantzer AK, Knez R. The associations between ADHD, pain, inflammation, and quality of life in children and adolescents—a clinical study protocol. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273653. [PMID: 36083951 PMCID: PMC9462574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
New research shows that the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is increased in children and adolescents as well as in adults with chronic pain, compared to those without chronic pain. Children and adolescents with ADHD also have an increased incidence of various physical conditions associated with pain, and they more frequently suffer from inflammatory diseases. Moreover, parents of children with ADHD can often suffer from pain conditions. These epidemiological and clinical observations form the scientific basis of our study, which aims to map the relationships between ADHD, altered pain experiences/central sensitization, and inflammation in children and adolescents. We will investigate the presence of central sensitization in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed ADHD and compare it with those who have not been diagnosed with ADHD. Participants (and their biological parents) will complete surveys about their somatic health, pain experience, and quality of life. Biological samples (saliva and stool) will be collected, aiming to utilize proteome and metabolome data to discover disease mechanisms and to predict, prevent and treat them. The results from our investigation should enable an expanded understanding of the pathophysiology behind both ADHD and pain/central sensitization. Presently, there are no established protocols for addressing psychiatric symptoms when examining patients with pain conditions in a somatic care setting, nor is there any knowledge of offering patients with ADHD or other neurodevelopmental disorders adapted treatments for pain conditions. Our results, therefore, can contribute to the development of new treatment strategies for pathological pain conditions in children and adolescents with ADHD. They may also increase awareness about and provide opportunities for the treatment of attention and impulse control problems in children and adolescents with pain syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nóra Kerekes
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
| | - Sara Lundqvist
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elke Schubert Hjalmarsson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Physiotherapy, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Åsa Torinsson Naluai
- Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Rajna Knez
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Skaraborg Hospital, Skövde, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Changes in Adolescents' Psychosocial Functioning and Well-Being as a Consequence of Long-Term COVID-19 Restrictions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168755. [PMID: 34444502 PMCID: PMC8392883 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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.
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Mzadi AE, Zouini B, Kerekes N, Senhaji M. Mental Health Profiles in a Sample of Moroccan High School Students: Comparison Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:752539. [PMID: 35264982 PMCID: PMC8899010 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.752539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent high school students may be particularly susceptible to suffering from the effect of isolation, physical distancing restrictions, and school closures imposed during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic. Given the biological and psychological changes that occur during this period of development, adolescents' experiences of these pandemic measures could significantly threaten their mental health and cause long-term consequences. AIM The main objectives of the study were to determine the impact of confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the psychological distress of Moroccan adolescents and identify the risk and protective factors that could influence their mental health. METHODS The participants in this study were Moroccan high school students who were recruited at two different times-before the COVID-19 pandemic (350 students, mean age: 16.55 years; 53.71% female; data collected in 2014/2015) and after the announcement of the pandemic (457 students, mean age: 16.84; 64.1% female; data collected in 2020). Students responded to an anonymous survey that included several validated instruments, such as the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity questionary, and elicited information about the students' psychosocial environment, gender, and age. The scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory dimensions from the pre-pandemic period and during 2020 were compared. A comparison between the scores of the two genders of the 2020 sample was also carried out. In addition, binary regression analysis was performed to predict the associations between gender, frequency of physical activity, the presence of the number of negative psychosocial factors, and those dimensions of the Brief Symptom Inventory that significantly changed between the samples. RESULTS Female students reported higher psychological distress than male students in both data collection periods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students scored significantly (p < 0.001) higher in depression and paranoid ideation, and they scored significantly (p = 0.01) lower in hostility and anxiety compared with the pre-pandemic period. Female gender and the experience of physical or psychological abuse significantly increased the risk of reporting higher scores in depression and paranoid ideation symptoms during 2020. Moderate and frequent physical activities were significantly and negatively associated with depression (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004; respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the stressful impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Moroccan high school students, who reported more symptoms of depression and paranoid ideation compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. Female students reported higher psychological distress than male students did. The experience of physical /psychological abuse during the pandemic worsened mental health, while moderate/frequent physical activity improved it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdennour El Mzadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Btissame Zouini
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Nóra Kerekes
- Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden
| | - Meftaha Senhaji
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
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