Adolescent Mental Health and School Belonging in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Subsequent Government Lockdowns

IF 5.5 2区医学 Q1 PEDIATRICS

Journal of Adolescent Health Pub Date : 2025-02-12 DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.11.240

Roisin E. Drysdale Ph.D. , Sanele Mvelase , Jeremy Kane Ph.D. , Rachel S. Gruver M.P.H. , Chris Desmond Ph.D. , Leslie L. Davidson M.D., M.Sc.

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

We hypothesized that extended exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic and government lockdown was associated with increased depression and anxiety symptoms among South African adolescents and a sense of school belonging mediated these relationships. We also hypothesized that poor mental health or school belonging impacted alcohol consumption.

Methods

Embedded in the Asenze Cohort Study, data were collected from adolescents between 2019 and 2021. The Patient Health Questionnaire, General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire and Psychological Sense of School Membership scale were used to measure depression, anxiety, and school belonging, respectively. Alcohol consumption was a cumulative score of the total number of days alcohol was consumed in the previous 30 days. Lockdown exposure was the number of months participants were exposed to lockdown conditions. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationship between the outcome variables.

Results

Among 866 adolescents included in the analysis, approximately 20% met the symptom criteria for moderate or severe depression or anxiety. The mean school belonging score was high (23; SD = 5.79) and alcohol consumption low. Lockdown exposure was not directly or indirectly associated with depression or anxiety symptoms. A greater sense of school belonging reduced both depression and anxiety symptoms.

Discussion

This study contradicts previous studies and suggests that lockdown was not associated with poor mental health in this cohort of adolescents. School belonging was high despite school closures and associated with lower depression and anxiety. Research around school belonging and how it can be promoted to better support isolated students is recommended.

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来源期刊

Journal of Adolescent Health 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

10.40

自引率

3.90%

发文量

526

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Adolescent Health is a scientific publication dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults. Our Journal covers a broad range of research topics, spanning from the basic biological and behavioral sciences to public health and policy. We welcome a variety of contributions, including original research papers, concise reports, literature reviews, clinical case reports, opinion pieces, and letters to the editor. We encourage professionals from diverse disciplines such as Anthropology, Education, Ethics, Global Health, Health Services Research, Law, Medicine, Mental and Behavioral Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Psychology, Public Health and Policy, Social Work, Sociology, and Youth Development to share their expertise and contribute to our mission of promoting adolescent health. Moreover, we value the voices of young individuals, family and community members, and healthcare professionals, and encourage them to submit poetry, personal narratives, images, and other creative works that provide unique insights into the experiences of adolescents and young adults. By combining scientific peer-reviewed research with creative expressions, our Journal aims to create a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in adolescent and young adult health.