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Mental health and wellbeing: wave 1 initial findings
- Authors:
- HOLT-WHITE Erica, et al
- Publisher:
- Sutton Trust
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Place of publication:
- London
Findings from a study into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life chances of a generation of young people. The briefing explores the mental health and wellbeing of a sample of almost 13,000 young people across England who were in Year 11 in 2021. Most of the cohort have recently begun Year 13. The research finds that almost half (44%) of young people were above the threshold for 'probable mental ill health', using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), indicating high levels of psychological distress. This has increased dramatically from 35% in 2017 and 23% in 2007 (from previous cohort studies looking at similar ages), pointing to a decline in the mental health and wellbeing of young people, likely accelerated by the pandemic. Higher levels of psychological distress were reported among those who have had long COVID or who had to shield during the pandemic, with 66% of those with severe long COVID reporting high psychological distress. The research also reveals big differences in mental health by gender identity. Those who identify as female report elevated psychological distress (54%), self-harm (23%) and suicide attempts (11%), compared to those who identify as male (33% report distress, 11% report self-harm and 5% report attempting suicide). Those who identify as non-binary or 'in another way' are more likely to report poor mental health than those who identify as male or female. Half of young people said that they are now less motivated to study and learn as a result of the pandemic, with those who reported high psychological distress 31%pts more likely to say so (68% compared to 37% of other participants). (Edited publisher abstract)
A narrative review of reviews of interconnecting risks (IR) of mental health problems for young people
- Authors:
- EDBROOKE-CHILDS Julian, DEIGHTON Jessica
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Family Therapy, 43(4), 2021, pp.748-772.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this narrative review is to examine the most prevalent multiple or interconnecting risks of mental health problems that have been identified in previous reviews of the literature and to examine those most prevalent for children and young people. Overall, ten databases were searched for published literature reviews, and from 1,556 unique hits, 91 reviews examining individual risks were included, with 35 reviews examining interconnecting risks. The findings suggest that interpersonal connection plays a central role in interconnecting risks, as indicated by the number of interconnections between social groups, interpersonal, parental relationships and family cohesion with other risk themes. Family and systemic approaches have clear value in supporting young people by enabling the development of a secure relational foundation on which to build future protective interpersonal connections. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mind matters: lessons from past crises for child and adolescent mental health during COVID-19
- Authors:
- SHERR Lorraine, et al
- Publisher:
- UNICEF. Innocenti Research Centre
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 70
- Place of publication:
- Florence
COVID-19 is a crisis like no other in modern times. It has reached every population and community. While the evidence base is still nascent, this report looks at the impacts of disasters and past epidemics – such as Ebola, HIV, SARS/MERS and Zika – on child and adolescent mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, and examines how these insights can guide policies and programmes to support children, their families and communities during the current pandemic. COVID-19 – its associated public health responses and social and economic impacts – is likely to have multiple deleterious effects on mental health, including elevated risks of anxiety and depression, trauma, loss of family and friends, violence, loneliness and social isolation. However, this pandemic also offers opportunities for positive coping and resilience. While there is no magic formula to address the mental health and psychosocial impacts of crises, there are proven and promising interventions from past experiences to mitigate the impact today – especially for the most vulnerable children and adolescents. These include social protection, caregiver skills and support, community and social support, life skills and school based programmes, and specialised care, to name a few. (Edited publisher abstract)
“I thought it was normal”: adolescents’ attempts to make sense of their experiences of domestic violence in their families
- Authors:
- CHESTER Jo, JOSCELYNE Trish
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(11-12), 2021, pp.5250-5276.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article describes the experience and impact of domestic violence on adolescents using qualitative methodology. It explores the meanings that adolescents give to their experiences and how this may relate to the impact of those experiences. Five adolescents who were receiving interventions within child and adolescent mental health services were interviewed about their experiences of domestic violence and the interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The results suggest that adolescents had a range of thoughts and feelings connected to their experiences, and that the impact of the domestic violence may be related to the different meanings that the adolescents gave to their experiences and how they made sense of those experiences. The results are explored using theories such as Grych and Fincham’s Cognitive-Contextual Model; Watkin’s elaborated Control Theory; and the work on posttraumatic growth. Research and clinical implications are discussed in the light of the results. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health and care needs of British children and young people aged 6–17
- Authors:
- FLEDDERJOHANN Jasmine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 126, 2021, p.106033.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
We conducted a scoping literature review based on a sample of 51 UK-based research articles published since 2004, focusing on children and young people aged 6–17 years. Taking the 2004 Office for National Statistics survey of child and adolescent mental health as a pivotal point in the development of the field, our aims were to identify the mental health difficulties featured in extant literature since the survey; uncover critical gaps; and propose avenues for advancing the field. Articles were critically reviewed, coded, and summarised. We found socioeconomic disadvantage, family instability and parental distress are cited as key contributing factors to mental distress. Following categorizations in the 2004 survey, emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity difficulties were the most commonly researched and reported topics. The needs of migrant, BAME, physically disabled, and LGBTQ children were severely underrepresented in the literature, as were those of looked after children. We also found a strong reliance on clinic-based convenience samples, which obfuscates the needs of children who are not able to access care. Further research using inclusive, population-based samples and diverse methods is needed going forward. (Edited publisher abstract)
Emerging evidence: coronavirus and children and young people's mental health: issue 3
- Authors:
- GILLEARD Anna, et al
- Publisher:
- Evidence Based Practice Unit
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- London
A rapid review of the evidence on the key mental health challenges for children and young people during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how parents, carers, and professionals can help them to manage and minimise these challenges. It is the third of a series of reviews and captures research identified between 25th May and 14th June 2020. Key mental health challenges for children and young people during the pandemic include: mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression have markedly increased; feelings of panic, stress, fear and fatigue amid uncertainty and a lack of control among young people are also widespread; disruption to young people’s ‘sense of control’ and ‘sense of meaning’ has contributed to growing stress and anxiety; concerns about returning to schools and colleges are also common; family dynamics, learning and education, financial stressors, social isolation and loneliness are all stressors contributing to poor mental health during the pandemic. For some, the pandemic has had positive mental health impacts due to a sense of support and potentially reduced stressors, such as social pressures at school. (Edited publisher abstract)
Emerging evidence: coronavirus and children and young people's mental health: issue 1
- Authors:
- CORTINA Melissa A., GILLEARD Anna, DEIGHTON Jess
- Publisher:
- Evidence Based Practice Unit
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 13
- Place of publication:
- London
A rapid review of the evidence on the key mental health challenges for children and young people during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how parents, carers, and professionals can help them to manage and minimise these challenges. It is the first of a series of reviews and covers evidence found from 1st January 2020 to 4th May 2020. The review finds that the key mental health challenges for children and young people during the pandemic include: the pandemic can influence many different aspects of mental health and may have longer-term consequences; higher than usual levels of stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and fear have been found in children and young people; mental health challenges during the pandemic have been attributed to several events or conditions including school closures, increased time away from peers, health concerns, and media over-exposure. Support for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing may include: promoting healthy habits such as sleeping well and daily exercise, recreating routines at home, and having clear and honest conversations about their child’s worries; small, daily acts can help promote health and emotional wellbeing in the home; teachers play a vital role in care and advocacy of positive mental health. In terms of support for those with mental health conditions, the most effective support will be adaptable and responsive to the evolving stages of the pandemic, and will involve a collaborative network which includes families, education, social care and health. (Edited publisher abstract)
The relationship between highly visual social media and young people’s mental health: a scoping review
- Authors:
- McCRORY Alanna, BEST Paul, MADDOCK Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 115, 2020, p.105053.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Users of highly visual social media (HVSM), such as Snapchat and Instagram, share their messages through images, rather than relying on words. A significant proportion of people that use these platforms are adolescents. Previous research reveals mixed evidence regarding the impact of online social technologies on this age group’s mental wellbeing, but it is uncertain whether the psychological effects of visual content alone differ from text-driven social media. This scoping review maps existing literature that has published evidence about highly visual social media, specifically its psychological impact on young people. Nine electronic databases and grey literature from 2010 until March 2019 were reviewed for articles describing any aspect of visual social media, young people and their mental health. The screening process retrieved 239 articles. With the application of eligibility criteria, this figure was reduced to 25 articles for analysis. Results indicate a paucity of data that exclusively examines HVSM. The predominance of literature relies on quantitative methods to achieve its objectives. Many findings are inconsistent and lack the richness that qualitative data may provide to explore the reasons for theses mixed findings. (Publisher abstract)
A healthy state of mind: improving young people's mental fitness
- Author:
- CHANNA Kulvir
- Publisher:
- Localis
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 50
- Place of publication:
- London
This report focuses on how to create a mental health system which supports young people earlier and with far greater flexibility than presently exists. The report examines: the impact of the first point of contact on young people as they initially seek help with their mental fitness; how to increase the availability of support and guidance from non-mental health professionals, and improve existing access points for young people as they seek out information; and how encouraging young people to have greater resilience, agency and independence will have a positive effect on how specialist CAMHS are able to deliver their services. The report highlights the need to better help young people with their mental health. Addressing severe mental health issues earlier and supporting greater mental fitness gives agency and independence to young people as they cope with difficult and often distressing circumstances. The report suggests that reforms to the mental health system must allow young people who are in crisis to access the specialist services they need far more quickly. The wide body of non-mental health professionals working with young people – as part of the community around them – can be better equipped and prepared to provide the right support under such an approach. Encouraging greater provision of school-based mental health support and providing statutory school-based support is one method of securing this within the education sector. Also, further training in mental health can support teachers, social workers and GPs alike. Whilst the report focuses on specific professional settings (e.g. schools, care settings), the principle that underpins the thinking is universal: where possible support young people in a way that encourages resilience in their mental wellbeing and focus specialist resources on supporting those presenting with severe mental health issues. (Edited publisher abstract)
Religiosity and the mental health of adolescents in Great Britain
- Authors:
- MELTZER Howard Ian, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Religion and Culture, 14(7), 2011, pp.703-713.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Recent studies of the association between religion or spirituality and mental health among young people suggest an equivocal relationship; variability being associated with the type of mental disorder or symptoms studied and the dimensions of religiosity that were measured. This study investigated the religiosity correlates of childhood psychopathology; strength of belief, importance of being able to practice one’s religion, and worship frequency. Questions on religiosity were included in the mental health survey of children in Great Britain administered to 2992 11–19-year-olds in 2007. The Development and Well-Being Assessment was used to generate rates of clinically recognisable mental disorders. The proportion of children who say they have any religion varies considerably by type of religious denomination in terms of how firmly they hold their religious beliefs, the importance of practicing their religion and attendance at services or prayer meetings. The relationships found between the measures of religiosity (strength of belief, importance of practice and attendance) and the two broad categories of childhood psychopathology, emotional and conduct disorders, suggest that all the religiosity variables need to be included in further studies. It would be desirable to have information on religiosity for all members of the family so that the child’s beliefs can be seen in the context of parental religiosity and other family factors.