The paradox of endless options and unrealistic expectations: understanding the impact on youth mental health

ABSTRACT

There is substantial evidence pointing towards a rise in mental health problems among young people worldwide. A recent survey showed that, compared to older age groups, Faroese young people aged 18–24 struggled the most with symptoms of psychological stress, depression, and loneliness. They also worried more about their economic and housing conditions compared to their older counterparts. The reasons for the higher degree of young people´s mental health challenges, however, remain unclear. The aim of this study was therefore to gain insight into the contributors to young people´s mental health. Six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 28 people aged 18–34. Through the thematic analysis, three main themes were identified: 1. Too many options, 2. High expectations and 3. Limiting small-scale living. We interpret these themes as being intricately connected to the recent societal changes, and we address the importance of understanding young people´s mental health considering this context.

KEYWORDS:

• Youth
• mental health
• small-scale societies
• educational pressure
• stress

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the young people in our focus groups, who shared valuable information and insights about young people´s mental health and the people who helped us recruit participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data from the Public Health Survey Faroes 2019 are the property of the Faroese Board of Public Health. Access to data from the Public Health Survey 2019 can be granted by the Faroese Board of Public Health (now called ‘Faroese Health Authority’), please contact Vár Honnudóttir: [email protected].

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2023.2242475.

Notes

1. In January 2023, the Faroese Board of Public Health was incorporated into a newly established entity: ‘the Faroese Health Authority’, under the Ministry of Health.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Faroese Board of Public Health.

Notes on contributors

Monika Mohr

Monika Mohr, Master of Arts in psychology and health promotion and health strategies. Head of Section at the Faroese Health Authority and project manager for a mental health promotion project called ABC’s of mental health in the Faroe Islands (also called “Act Belong Commit”). Research interests: Mental health, mental health promotion and mental health challenges.

Vár Honnudóttir

Vár Honnudóttir, Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health. An academic researcher at the Faroese Health Authority and responsible for the Public Health Survey Faroes. Research interests: Public health, social inequality in health, health promotion, and disease prevention.

Magni Mohr

Magni Mohr, PhD, Dean, Professor in Exercise Physiology, Pro-rector of Research and Enterprise, Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of the Faroe Islands. Professor at the University of Southern Denmark. Research interests: Skeletal muscle fatigue during high-intensity intermittent exercise using manipulations such as fitness training, drug and nutritional supplementation, exercise intensity, exercise mode, exercise duration, recovery, heat stress, hypoxia etc. Exercise as prevention and treatment of lifestyle diseases - Exercise as Medicine concept. Physical activity and public health.

Annika Helgadóttir Davidsen

Annika Helgadóttir Davidsen, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of the Faroe Islands. She has a PhD in psychology and has clinical and research experience with young people´s mental health and well-being. Other research interests are psychotherapy and psychosocial working environment.