Adolescent Lifestyle Behaviors, Coping Strategies and Subjective Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Student Survey

Abstract

Background and objectives: Adolescence represents a critical period for rapid psychophysical and socio-cognitive changes, with implications for health and wellbeing in later life. From this perspective, the manifestation of unhealthy lifestyles and dysfunctional behaviors may reflect a change in wellbeing requiring alertness and prompt intervention. This study investigated lifestyle behaviors and coping strategies among Italian adolescents, also in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and whether they would predict a change in subjective wellbeing. Materials and Methods: In the period between 1 April and 10 April 2020, adolescents aged 15–21 filled out an online survey consisting of 33 questions investigating socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, coping strategies, and subjective wellbeing. Results: Data was available on 306 participants. Most adolescents planned their daily routine (57.8%), engaging in structured activities (17.6–67.3%) and developing new interests (54.6%), and gave a positive reading of the ongoing period (57.8%), thus revealing adaptive coping strategies. Family wise, even though it was hard to stay at home (66%) and difficulties emerged, including self-isolation (50.7%) and quarrels (31.7%), a relevant proportion of adolescents shared their feelings (40.5%) and revaluated their family relationships (29.4–39.7%). In terms of social and school engagement, almost all adolescents kept contacts with their partner, friends, and teachers (90.2–93.5%). School commitments at home were sufficiently preserved (63.1%), however adolescents expressed preoccupations about their educational path (56.2%). A change in subjective wellbeing (49.3%) and symptoms of anxiety (39.9%) were frequently reported. A number of factors predicted a change in subjective wellbeing, including adaptive coping strategies (physical activity, OR = 2.609, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.297–5.247; engaging in different activities than before, OR = 2.212, 95% CI 1.157–4.230), family issues (finding hard to stay at home, OR = 3.852, 95% CI 1.953–7.599; having quarrels, OR = 2.158, 95% CI 1.122–4.150), school-related behaviors (fearing a negative educational outcome, OR = 1.971, 95% 1.063–3.655), and female gender (OR = 3.647, 95% CI 1.694–7.851). Conclusions: Both personal and environmental coping resources are relevant to subjective wellbeing in adolescence and should be taken into account for prevention and early intervention in youth mental health.

Have Lifestyle Habits and Psychological Well-Being Changed among Adolescents and Medical Students Due to COVID-19 Lockdown in Croatia?

“…Our subjects reported slightly lower average quality of life during COVID-19 lockdown compared to pre-COVID-19 period, and a slight increase in stress perception. A decline in subjective well-being during COVID-19 pandemic, and stress and anxiety increase in adolescents have also been reported in previous studies [ 10 , 21 ]. This is quite understandable, considering the magnitude of changes in daily life due to lockdown experience.…”

“…As of recently, more studies have been published on COVID-19 lockdown effects on dietary habits, as well as on other lifestyle behaviors [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 17 , 18 ]. However, most of the previous studies focused on adult population, and only few studies have been published so far about COVID-19 lockdown influence on lifestyle change in adolescents [ 19 , 20 , 21 ] and in medical students [ 22 , 23 ]. Hence, we aimed to investigate dietary habits and other related lifestyle behaviors changes in adolescents and medical students resulting to COVID-19 lockdown in Croatia.…”

Adolescents’ Perception, Practice and Coping Strategies during COVID-19 Pandemic in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…This was similar to the findings that found that Chinese adolescents and youths experienced psychological problems, depressive and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic, using the more emotional coping strategy [25]. In another study, it was found that some Italian adolescents used an emotionfocused way of coping (adolescents planned their daily routine, engaging in structured activities and developing new interests and gave a positive reading of the ongoing period), as an adaptive coping strategy to COVID-19 [26].…”

COVID-19 lockdown and lifestyles: A narrative review

“…Articles also suggest that quarantined children 169 , adolescents 170 , university students [171][172][173][174] and adults 175 , mothers of young children 176 , and other healthy adults suffered from symptoms of poor mental health, such as post-traumatic stress, anger, and confusion 177,178 . One study in Turkey found a difference in the self-reported quality of life (better) of children as opposed to the perception of their parents 179 .…”