The Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescents' Mental Health in Catalonia (Spain)

This study aimed to understand the experiences of adolescents regarding the perceived impact of COVID-19 on their mental health in Catalonia (Spain). A qualitative exploratory methodology was used with a purposive sample of 30 high-school students regarding their experiences of the self-perceived im...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: Aguayo González, Mariela|||0000-0002-5968-5214, Leyva Moral, Juan M.|||0000-0003-4241-4992, Gimenez Diez, David|||0000-0002-6677-3300, Colom Cadena, Andreu|||0000-0003-0983-2412, Martínez, Isabel, Watson-Badia, Carolina Eva|||0000-0001-6237-7717, Bordas, Anna|||0000-0001-5640-8433, Casabona-Barbarà, Jordi|||0000-0003-4816-5536, Folch, Cinta|||0000-0001-8400-2668
Format: article
Publication Date:2023
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:290871
Online Access:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/290871
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1177/10598405231194542
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Adolescents
Covid-19
Mental health
Nursing school
Primary care
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Description
Summary:This study aimed to understand the experiences of adolescents regarding the perceived impact of COVID-19 on their mental health in Catalonia (Spain). A qualitative exploratory methodology was used with a purposive sample of 30 high-school students regarding their experiences of the self-perceived impact of COVID-19 on their mental health. Data were thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke method. Three main themes emerged from the data: (a) the challenge of living confined, (b) the footprint of COVID-19 on adolescents' mental health, and (c) school dynamics during the lockdown. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted adolescents' mental health, and adolescents perceived a lack of emotional support from educational centers. Therefore, incorporating emotional support in educational centers and offering emotional self-management tools to young students should be a priority. School nurses can play an essential role in recognizing and managing emotional needs and being the natural link between educational and primary care centers.