COVID-19 pandemic: Is teenagers’ health in crisis? An investigation into the effects of COVID-19 on self-reported mental and physical health of teenagers in secondary education

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the self-reported perception of physical and mental health, in a cohort of teenagers. To assess the extent to which these effects are perceived as detrimental.Non-directional Hypothesis - the perception of physical and mental health will change over the duration of the eight weeks, due to the effects of the lockdown, as a result of COVID-19. DesignThis was a prospective longitudinal study evaluating the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK over the eight week period, against the political timeline during which the study was conducted (April 08, 2020–June 04, 2020). SettingParticipants were all in secondary education, ranging from years 10–13 (ages 15–18). Participants55 volunteers have taken part in the study, the group of participants was mixed-sex and of different ethnic groups. Participants were chosen via an opportunity sampling method. All participants stem from a middle to high socioeconomic background. The target demographic of the study was teenagers in secondary education, so participants have been selected from a volunteer sample that is representative of this population. Main outcome measuresPhysical health and Mental health. ResultsData obtained was synchronised with the political timeline over the eight week period, in order to provide specific interpretations for the findings of the study.Measures of physical health: Sleep with a median length of 8 ​h in comparison to seven before lockdown (SD between 1.236 and 1.835); 70.00% of participants experienced a decline in their physical health; Productivity amongst participants slightly decreased (76.70%–62.90%). The measures of mental health: Length of screen time, with a median length of 6 ​h in comparison to four before lockdown (SD between 1.48 and 3.3), however, it remained stagnant over the study period and participants did not experience a further increase; The number of hours spent on social media also increased, with an increasing number of participants spending over 4 ​h on social media; Conflicts increased in their family environment (from 25.60% to 37.10% of participants reporting more conflicts). During virtual school, conflict was at its lowest point (18.40%) and harmony in the family environment was at its highest peak (65.80%). 51.00% of participants relayed a decline in their mental health. A statistically significant correlation was found between exercise and creativity, both of which decreased over the study period (rs ​= ​0.42 is bigger than the critical value ​= ​0.22 when p ​= ​0.05). ConclusionsDespite certain positive effects, the overall impact of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic has been negative, regarding both physical and mental health, for this cohort of young people.