Vatican News / Sr. Amata J. Nowaszewska CSFN
As the psychologist emphasizes, “psychological resilience, active ways of coping with difficulties, social relations, and the support received and given to others” are of significant importance for the well-being of young people.
The pandemic has passed, difficulties remain
Although six years have passed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of children and adolescents remains a significant challenge. As Dr. Hab. Chwaszcz reminds us, the lifting of the public health emergency of international concern regarding COVID-19 by the World Health Organization in May 2023 did not mean the end of all the consequences of the pandemic.
The expert points to “persistently difficulties in the psychological functioning of young people.” In this context, the question of what helps teenagers maintain well-being and cope with everyday problems gains special importance.
What helps teenagers in difficult situations?
Higher quality of life is associated with “an optimistic attitude, energy, perseverance and determination in action, a sense of humor,” lists Director Chwaszcz. Openness to new experiences and the ability to control emotions also matter.
She adds that well-being is positively associated with “active coping strategies, seeking and providing support, and spending free time actively without using electronic media.”
On the other hand, strategies based on helplessness, such as “ceasing actions, passivity, self-blame,” as well as the use of psychoactive substances, are associated with a lower perceived quality of life.
School is not just about studying
In a study involving 4,828 people aged 10 to 19, the lowest perceived well-being scores concerned school functioning. As the psychologist notes, this is “an important observation both in the context of coping with learning and of building and maintaining peer relationships.”
A study conducted in 2021 also showed that boys rated their mental health better than girls, and younger participants achieved more favorable results than older ones. Higher quality of life was also reported among youth living in rural areas compared to cities.
Support from others can protect
“Social support proved to be a particularly important factor,” emphasizes Dr. Hab. Chwaszcz.
The results indicate that in the presence of social support, the relationship between teenagers’ positive traits and skills and their quality of life is stronger, while the relationship between unfavorable factors and well-being is weaker. This means that support can mitigate the significance of unfavorable factors for the well-being of young people.
“The study’s results therefore indicate that social support can play an important protective function in the lives of young people,” the psychologist concludes.
