Adolescents’ mental health status and influential factors amid the Coronavirus Disease pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundThe preventive measure of Coronavirus Disease pandemic, such as nationwide lockdown, might lead to stress, depression, and anxiety, prominently in adolescents. Many factors were indicated to influence its severity. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of COVID-19-related mental health problems in adolescents and the associated factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study gathered 2018 adolescents throughout Indonesia from April 22nd-28th 2020. The questionnaire was spread through social media and included Kessler-10 Psychological Distress scale and closed-ended questions about the risk and protective factors. The results were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Logistic Regression.ResultsThe participants were mostly males (91.8%) with a median age of 19. The results showed 54.1% experienced varying degrees of distress. All variables were significantly related with psychological distress during Mann-Whitney-U and Kruskal-Wallis test. The logistic regression analysis showed maintaining or improving dietary pattern and sleep quality was found to be protective against psychological distress (OR = 0.497,95%CI = 0.34–0.725 and OR = 0.515,95%CI = 0.372–0.714, respectively), while others were risk factors, i.e.: Not having a confidant (OR = 1.539,95%CI = 1.226–1.931), frequent argument with parents (OR = 1.735,95%CI = 1.343–2.24), feeling worried (OR = 2.364, 95%CI1.528-3.656), chronic diseases (OR = 2.601,95%CI = 1.468–4.606), and mental illnesses (OR = 9.866,95%CI = 3.855–25.249).ConclusionMore than half of adolescents experienced distress. The findings called for initiatives by experts in providing psychosocial support for adolescents.

Keywords

• Adolescents
• Coronavirus
• Indonesia
• Mental health
• Young people