Relationship between the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Well-Being of Adolescents and Their Parents in Switzerland

Abstract

This study is based on two waves of data collected by the Swiss Household panel, the first one in 2019, before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the second one in May–June 2020, just after the end of the partial lockdown that was decided by the Swiss government. We considered “couples” of adolescents (age 14–24, mean = 18.82, 51.96% female) and their parents living together (n = 431). Our main goal was to determine whether the evolution of the well-being among adolescents was similar to the evolution of the well-being among parents. Ten indicators of well-being were measured identically in both waves and for both adolescents and their parents. Results indicate that while almost all indicators of well-being decreased during partial lockdown for both adolescents and their parents, adolescents were more strongly impacted than their parents. Furthermore, the change observed in adolescents was virtually unaffected by the change observed in their parents, and vice versa. This research is a reminder that while different population groups may be affected differently by a sudden and extreme event, it is not only older people who will be most affected. Here, adolescents appear to have been more adversely affected than adults.

Psychosocial Functioning and the Educational Experiences of Students with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

“…This situation has had a significant impact on the well-being and mental health of young people [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Some adolescents, particularly girls, experienced a significant increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as a marked decrease in satisfaction with life [ 18 , 19 ].…”

“…The psychological well-being of adolescents and their parents declined overall under the 2020 partial lockdown in Switzerland. The results are contradictory depending on variables such as age, ASD severity, or features of the family [ 17 ]. The results of the Nisticò et al study conducted during the first and second lockdowns in Italy, indicate that individuals with HF-ASD experienced higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD-related symptoms, tiredness, and perceived wellbeing during the second lockdown in comparison to the first one.…”