Mental health burden of high school students, and suggestions for psychosocial support, 1.5 years into the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and containment efforts seem to be particularly challenging for adolescents. This study assessed mental health in high school students 1.5 years after the pandemic began in Austria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from September to November 2021. Well-being (WHO-5), depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and sleep quality were assessed. A total of 1505 adolescents participated (78% girls). The cut-offs for clinically relevant symptoms were exceeded by 62% girls and 38.1% boys for depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 11), 49% girls and 29% boys for anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥ 11) and 28% girls and 17% boys for insomnia (ISI score ≥ 15). The prevalence of suicidal ideation (item 9 of the PHQ-9) within the last 2 weeks was 47% in girls and 32% in boys. These data collected in autumn 2021 (the start of the second semester of reopened schools; t2) were compared to data collected in February 2021 (one semester after remote schooling; t1). A matched pairs analysis according to age, gender, region, school type and migration background resulted in a total sample size of N = 2514 adolescents. Results showed small deteriorations in mental health (i.e., well-being, depression, insomnia, suicidal ideation) in girls at t2 compared to t1, and an increase in suicidal thoughts in boys (all p-values < 0.05). Qualitative data show that young people have a need for more psychological support, both professional and informal, as well as increased mental health literacy. Results suggest that mental health burden in adolescents remains high 1.5 years into the pandemic and highlight the need to implement timely psychological support.

Burdens and psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for Austrian children and adolescents

“…The study is a snapshot between February and April 2021—that is, starting 2 weeks after the third lockdown ended—in Austria. Considering the results of Austrian data from other workgroups ( Pieh et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Dale et al, 2022 ), we fear a worsening of mental health (especially in girls) in the areas of well-being, depression, suicidal thoughts, and sleep, also after the end of our survey. In that same direction other groups report [ Özlü-Erkilic et al (2021) , here for Turkey and Austria in 15–25 year olds] that, as the pandemic progressed, the fear for themselves and/or a family member to become infected and/or ruminations about COVID-19 were steadily increasing from wave to wave.…”

Assessment of the Long-Term Mental Health Effects on Austrian Students after COVID-19 Restrictions

“…A first follow-up study from 19 June to 2 July 2021, after one semester of distance learning, reported a slight improvement in mental health, albeit still at a lower level than before the pandemic [ 17 ]. This promising trend could not be replicated in a study from 14 September to 14 November 2021 [ 18 ]. Girls’ mental health had declined, while boys’ mental health remained at the same low levels as in February 2021.…”

Die psychische Gesundheit unserer Kinder und Jugendlichen und deren Behandlungsmöglichkeiten im Drei-Länder-Vergleich (Ö, D, CH) unter Berücksichtigung der Veränderungen durch die COVID-19-Pandemie

“…Subjektives Bedrohungserleben und ökonomische Schwierigkeiten waren die besten Prädiktoren für eine verschlechterte psychische Gesundheit der Kin-review der [32]. Der psychischen Gesundheit der österreichischen Jugendlichen (mittleres Alter: 16,3 Jahre, Standardabweichung: 1,4 Jahre) nahmen sich Dale et al [5] an. Im September bis November 2021 wiesen 62 % der österreichischen Mädchen und 38 % der österreichischen Jungen klinisch relevante depressive Symptome auf.…”

“…49 % der Mädchen und 29 % der Jungen hatten klinisch relevante Ängste und 28 % der Mädchen und 17 % der Jungen waren von Schlaflosigkeit betroffen. Die Prävalenz von Suizidgedanken innerhalb der letzten zwei Wochen betrug 47 % bei den Mädchen und 32 % bei den Jungen [5]. In einer "Gesund & Leben"-Umfrage mit österreichischen Schulärzt:innen gaben mehr als 81 % der Ärzt:innen an, dass sich der allgemeine Gesundheitszustand der Schüler:innen in der COVID-19 Pandemie verschlechtert hat.…”