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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

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Open Access 01-12-2023 | COVID-19 | Research

Risk and protective factors related to changes in mental health among adolescents since COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Cheuk Yui Yeung, Vera Yu Men, Wendy W. Y. So, Daniel Yee Tak Fong, Mona Wai Cheung Lam, Derek Yee Tak Cheung, Paul Siu Fai Yip

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Most research has suggested that children and adolescents had poorer mental health than pre-COVID-19 pandemic status. There have been few investigations into factors associated with pre-peri pandemic differences in young people’s mental health status. Our study aimed to investigate the association between sociodemographic factors, attitudes, and daily life experiences and these differences.

Methods

We used self-reported cross-sectional data from the Youth Sexuality Survey (YSS) by the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, collected from secondary school students aged 10–16 between the fourth and fifth waves of the pandemic. The study outcome was pre-peri pandemic differences in mental health (better, unchanged, or poorer). Associations between the study outcome with age, sex, satisfaction with academic performance, school life, relationship with classmates and family life, and average sleeping and exercising time in the past month, were assessed through multinomial logistic regression, controlling for depressive/anxiety symptoms and change in physical health status since the pandemic.

Results

There were 6,665 respondents. Compared with pre-pandemic, approximately 30% reported poorer mental health, whilst 20% reported better mental health. Females (OR = 1.355, 95% CI = 1.159–1.585) and those dissatisfied with their academic performance (OR = 1.468, 95% CI = 1.233–1.748) were significantly more likely to report poorer mental health with reference to unchanged status, while those satisfied with family life had improved mental health with reference to unchanged (OR = 1.261, 95% CI = 1.006–1.579) and poorer status (OR = 1.369, 95% CI = 1.085–1.728).

Conclusion

Policy and community strategies that promote good family relationships are thus essential for young people’s mental health during societal challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Title: Risk and protective factors related to changes in mental health among adolescents since COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Cheuk Yui Yeung
Vera Yu Men
Wendy W. Y. So
Daniel Yee Tak Fong
Mona Wai Cheung Lam
Derek Yee Tak Cheung
Paul Siu Fai Yip
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-023-00622-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on modern management of frailty

Springer Medicine

Risk and protective factors related to changes in mental health among adolescents since COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on modern management of frailty

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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