AUTHOR=Gadermann Anne , Thomson Kimberly , Gill Randip , Schonert-Reichl Kimberly A. , Gagné Petteni Monique , Guhn Martin , Warren Michael T. , Oberle Eva 

TITLE=Early Adolescents' Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Changes in Their Well-Being

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.823303

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.823303

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Background: Early adolescence is a time of psychological and social change that can coincide with declines in mental health and well-being. This study investigated the psychological and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of students who responded to a survey in Grades 7 and 8 (ages 12-14) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The objectives of this study were (i) to provide an overview on early adolescents’ social-emotional experiences and their time use during the pandemic; and (ii) to examine whether changes in social experiences as well as feeling safe at school were associated with changes in well-being outcomes over the course of a year.

Methods: A sample of N = 1755 students from a large public school district self-reported on their life satisfaction, optimism, and symptoms of sadness across two time points: First, in their Grade 7 year (pre-pandemic; January to March, 2020) and then one year later in their Grade 8 year (during the pandemic; January to March, 2021). In Grade 8, students also reported on pandemic-specific experiences, including changes in mental health, social relationships, and activities, as well as coping strategies and positive changes since the pandemic. Data were collected online using the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI), a self-report survey designed to measure students’ health and well-being, social and emotional competencies, and assets. 

Results: Students reported a range of experiences, with a large proportion reporting moderate concerns and impacts of the pandemic, including worries about their mental health and missing school activities. Students reported lower optimism, lower life satisfaction, and higher sadness compared to the previous year. Improvements in relationships with parents and other adults at home was one of the most important predictors of higher well-being during the pandemic.

Implications: Results from this study can inform decision making of policy-makers, educators, and practitioners working with youth, by providing information on students’ experiences during the pandemic and identifying factors that may be protective for students’ mental health during and beyond the pandemic.