J Adolesc Health. 2024 Apr 11:S1054-139X(24)00110-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.02.020. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Few studies have investigated both the positive and negative impacts of perceived changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents’ wellbeing. This study aimed to comprehensively identify the factors associated with the overall wellbeing of the youth population.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed using data from the 2020 Korean Survey of Children and Youth. Data were collected from N = 7,170 adolescents (aged 9-24 years) during the implementation of social distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants provided self-reported data about their COVID-19-induced perceived changes, wellbeing, parental support, and self-esteem between November 2020 and February 2021. The effect of COVID-19-induced perceived changes on adolescents’ wellbeing during the pandemic was assessed by evaluating the mediating roles of parental support and self-esteem.
RESULTS: The findings highlighted a serial mediating effect of parental support and self-esteem on the relationship between adolescents’ COVID-19-related perceived changes and wellbeing.
DISCUSSION: This study deepens the understanding of the intricate interplay between pandemic-related perceived changes, mediating factors, and wellbeing among adolescents. The findings imply that a comprehensive approach combining interventions aimed at enhancing self-esteem at the individual level with parental support may be most effective in improving adolescents’ wellbeing.
PMID:38613538 | DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.02.020
