Institute of General Practice and Public Health, Claudiana College of Health Professions, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
Department of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, University of Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall, Austria.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Jul 17;21(7):933. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21070933.
The exacerbation of psychosocial problems among children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitates an assessment of the long-term mental health impact of pandemic interventions. Focusing on both pandemic-related factors and demographic variables, such as gender and daily habits, an analysis was conducted to understand how these elements continue to affect young populations in the post-pandemic era.
In April 2023, a comprehensive online survey was administered to families in South Tyrol, Italy, with children aged 7-19 years, to ensure age and gender representation. The survey included parent ratings and adolescent (11-19 years) self-reports using standardized instruments to measure the symptoms of mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ), anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, SCARED), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, PHQ-2). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs).
Of the 4525 valid responses, 1831 were self-reported by adolescents. Notable gender differences in mental health outcomes were identified, along with significant demographic predictors, such as age, single parenthood, parental mental health problems, and immigrant background. Negative effects were associated with reduced family climate and increased screen time, whereas physical activity showed beneficial effects. Proxy reports overestimated adolescents' mental health problems, whereas self-reports tended to underestimate them.
Persistent mental health problems and gender disparities highlight the need for a public health approach. This should include accessible support services, resilience building, targeted support for vulnerable families and gender-specific interventions.
2019 年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行期间，儿童和青少年的心理社会问题加剧，因此需要评估大流行干预措施对长期心理健康的影响。本研究聚焦于与大流行相关的因素和人口统计学变量，如性别和日常习惯，旨在分析这些因素如何在后大流行时代继续影响年轻人群。
2023 年 4 月，对意大利南蒂罗尔的家庭进行了一项全面的在线调查，调查对象为 7-19 岁的儿童，以确保年龄和性别代表性。该调查包括使用标准化工具对父母进行评分和对青少年（11-19 岁）进行自我报告，以测量心理健康问题的症状（长处和困难问卷，SDQ）、焦虑（儿童焦虑相关情绪障碍筛查，SCARED）和抑郁（患者健康问卷-2，PHQ-2）。统计分析包括描述性统计、卡方检验和未调整的优势比（OR）。
在 4525 份有效回复中，有 1831 份是由青少年自我报告的。研究发现心理健康结果存在显著的性别差异，以及显著的人口统计学预测因素，如年龄、单亲家庭、父母心理健康问题和移民背景。家庭氛围较差、屏幕时间增加与心理健康问题呈正相关，而身体活动则呈负相关。代理报告高估了青少年的心理健康问题，而自我报告则倾向于低估这些问题。
持续存在的心理健康问题和性别差异突出表明需要采取公共卫生方法。这应包括提供易于获得的支持服务、培养适应力、为弱势家庭提供有针对性的支持以及针对特定性别实施干预措施。
