The COVID-19 pandemic has caused extreme deviations from everyday life. The aim of this study was to investigate how these deviations affected adolescents’ sense of coherence and their level of aggression, and whether this was influenced by their relationship with animals, especially horses. In two random samples of students from vocational schools in Hungary, taken in June 2018 and June 2020 (n1 = 525, n2 = 412), separate groups were drawn from those who had regularly engaged in equine-assisted activities (ES) and those who had not (OS) before the pandemic. Data were collected using an anonymous, paper-based questionnaire, and during the pandemic an online version of the Sense of Coherence (SOC13) and Bryant–Smith (B12) scales. During the pandemic, boys’ sense of coherence weakened and their aggressiveness increased. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that, regardless of gender and age group, increased time spent using the internet (p < 0.001), a lack of classmates (p = 0.017), reduced time spent outdoors (p = 0.026) and reduced physical activity (p < 0.038) during the pandemic significantly increased the tendency for aggressive behavior, whereas being with a horse or pet was beneficial (p < 0.001). The changes imposed by the curfew were rated as bad by 90% of the pupils, however, those with a strong sense of coherence felt less negatively about them. Schools should place a great emphasis on strengthening the students’ sense of coherence.

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Introducton: mothers around the world are at increased risk for health-related problems because of the level of inactvity before, during, and afer pregnancy. Recreatonal habits in diferent countries may difer. The experience gained from comparing these habits can provide useful informaton for each country. Aims: to examine among Hungarian and Jordanian mothers who have at least one child, what leisure ctvites are usually practced and to compare their general health and recreatonal actvites based on their self-report. Online questonnaires were conducted in both countries. Results: Jogging/running and aerobics were the most common before pregnancy. During pregnancy, walking, watching TV, reading, and various actvites at home were the most common actvites among women, but most of them were not physically actve. Hungarian women were more actve than Jordanians in all three observed stages. Nevertheless, they rated themselves less actve than Jordanians. Conclusion: in both countries, more atenton must be paid to pregnant women’s recreatonal actvites. For example, more special sessions must be organized and available for everyone.

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