Being young in times of uncertainty and isolation: adolescents’ experiences of well-being, health and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Large gaps exist in the literature on COVID-19 pandemic-related mental health outcomes and after-effects specific to adolescents and young adults. The aim was to explore adolescents’ and young adults’ experiences of well-being, health and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative exploratory design with qualitative content analysis was used. Twenty-three participants (aged 19–27; four men and 19 women) were interviewed in Finland in 2021. Four main categories emerged: Changed social networks – fewer and closer contacts, Changed mental and physical health, Increased isolation and social loneliness, and Well-being, internal growth and need for support. Adolescents’ and young adults’ experiences of well-being, health and loneliness are subtle and complex. Participants experienced changed social networks, mental and physical health, and well-being. Internal growth, need for support and increased loneliness were also seen. Clear information on how to seek help and support from professionals should be made available.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• health
• loneliness
• well-being
• young adults

Acknowledgments

We thank all those at Luleå upper secondary school, Luleå, Sweden, for their participation in and collaboration on the “Hälsoprojektet post-covid” (Post-COVID health project) project.

Disclosure statement

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

Author contributions statement

Jessica Hemberg was responsible for the study conception and design, data collection, data analysis and discussion and drafted the manuscript at all stages. Amanda Sundqvist, Yulia Korzhina and Lillemor Östman contributed to the study conception. All authors contributed to the data analysis and provided critical comments on the manuscript.

Ethical approval

The guidelines of the Finnish National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (2023) were followed. Ethical approval was granted by an ethics committee at the university where the researchers are based. Approval to participate in the study was provided by the participants when providing their informed consent. The participants were informed both orally and in writing about the purpose of the study, confidentiality, withdrawal of consent and publication intent.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Högskolestiftelsen i Österbotten, Svensk-Österbottniska samfundet, Stiftelsen Brita Maria Renlunds Minne sr and Aktiastiftelsen i Vasa.