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Mental health among children and adolescents is considered a global public health challenge worldwide. The purpose of this paper was to examine the correlates of psychological distress among adolescents living in Kosovo. A sample of 200 adolescents (M = 10.8; SD = .44) were assessed using a variety of measures, including psychological distress, sleep behaviors, and self-esteem. The research findings indicate significant correlations between electronic use, bedtime fears/worries and insomnia, and higher levels of psychological distress among the study sample. The research results show positive correlations between self-esteem and lower levels of psychological distress. An examination of gender differences revealed that females tended to report higher levels of sleep, whereas males reported higher levels of electronic use and psychological distress. The results are discussed within the context of general health, mental health, and wellbeing among Kosovar children.

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the measures taken against its spread, including quarantine, school closures, and online teaching, have affected young people’s career planning and decision-making process. This study explores their career decision-making process during the pandemic by analysing the following categories: effects the pandemic might have had on emotional, social, and professional aspects; support provided by family, school, and peers; challenges and difficulties experienced during the career planning process; and the need and opportunities for career guidance. Thirty high school students in the 12th grade were individually interviewed using Google Meet. The findings of thematic analysis revealed that the participants struggled with the career decision-making process during the pandemic. Concerns related to abrupt changes in daily routines and restrictive measures affected their emotional and social states. Participants reported feeling sufficiently supported by their families, but not their schools or peers. They indicated that career orientation information provided by their schools or other institutions would be beneficial. Our findings highlight the need for a structured, well planned, official career orientation program for schools.

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