Bienestar emocional, percepciones y actitudes frente a la COVID-19 en adolescentes / Emotional well-being, perceptions and attitudes against COVID-19 on adolescents

Introducción: La pandemia mundial por SARS-CoV-2 ha ocasionado un gran impacto en la vida de los adolescentes afectando el bienestar infanto-juvenil, sin embargo, existe escasa evidencia del efecto que ha tenido a nivel emocional en esta población. Objetivo: Explorar los conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes de los jóvenes frente a la COVID-19 y el impacto provocado en el bienestar emocional. Material y método: Estudio observacional transversal y descriptivo, a partir de una encuesta realizada a alumnos de 16-20 años de cinco institutos del área metropolitana de Barcelona. Resultados: El estudio se efectuó sobre 291 encuestas. De los participantes, 56,7% fueron mujeres. La edad media fue de 16,8 años y la mediana de 17 años. Se detectó un mayor desconocimiento sobre la transmisión de la enfermedad. Las fuentes de información más utilizadas fueron las redes sociales. En cuanto al malestar emocional, destaca la preocupación por enfermar (64%), los problemas económicos familiares (46%), la ansiedad e irritabilidad (27%) y la apatía (26,5%). Se detectan diferencias entre géneros en cuanto a la preocupación (mujeres: 28,8%, hombres: 11,1%), tristeza (mujeres: 29,3%, hombres: 15,5%) y sensación de tener miedo (mujeres: 24,5%, hombres 11%). De los sujetos, 16,7% consultaron con un profesional de salud mental, siendo más frecuente en mujeres (23,8%, hombres: 7,4%). Conclusiones: La COVID-19 ha afectado el bienestar emocional de los adolescentes, sobre todo en la población femenina. Se detecta un mayor uso de las redes sociales para evitar el aislamiento social. Los resultados del estudio pueden ayudar a diseñar estrategias para evitar malestares futuros en el ámbito biopsicosocial.(AU)

Introduction: The worldwide pandemic of SARS-Cov2 has had a great impact on the lives of adolescents, affecting their health and well-being. There is little evidence of the emotional impact of the pandemic on adolescents. Objectiv: To explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of young people regarding COVID-19 and its impact on emotional well-being. Method: A cross-sectional observational and descriptive study based on a survey of students aged 16–20 from five high schools in Barcelona metropolitan area. Results: The study was carried out on 291 surveys. Females made up 56.7% of the population. The average age was 16.9 years. A greater lack of knowledge about the transmission of the disease was detected. The most frequently used sources of information were social networks. In terms of emotional distress, the most important aspects were worry about getting sick (64%), family financial problems (46%), anxiety and irritability (27%), and apathy (26.5%). Gender differences were detected in terms of worries (women: 28.8%; men: 11.1%), sadness (women: 29.3%, men: 15.5%), and feelings of fear (women: 24.5%; men: 11%). 16.7% of the participants consulted a mental health professional, with this being more common in women (women: 23.8%; men: 7.4%). Conclusions: COVID-19 has affected the emotional well-being of adolescents, especially the female population. It is necessary to implement emotional well-being strategies in early childhood to cope with possible stressful situations in daily life and avoid future mental health problems. There is a growing use of social media to combat social isolation. The results of the study hold the potential to strategies aimed at preempting forthcoming biopsychosocial distress.(AU)

[Emotional well-being, perceptions and attitudes against COVID-19 on adolescents]. / Bienestar emocional, percepciones y actitudes frente a la COVID-19 en adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: The worldwide pandemic of SARS-Cov2 has had a great impact on the lives of adolescents, affecting their health and well-being. There is little evidence of the emotional impact of the pandemic on adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of young people regarding COVID-19 and its impact on emotional well-being. METHOD: A cross-sectional observational and descriptive study based on a survey of students aged 16-20 from five high schools in Barcelona metropolitan area. RESULTS: The study was carried out on 291 surveys. Females made up 56.7% of the population. The average age was 16.9 years. A greater lack of knowledge about the transmission of the disease was detected. The most frequently used sources of information were social networks. In terms of emotional distress, the most important aspects were worry about getting sick (64%), family financial problems (46%), anxiety and irritability (27%), and apathy (26.5%). Gender differences were detected in terms of worries (women: 28.8%; men: 11.1%), sadness (women: 29.3%, men: 15.5%), and feelings of fear (women: 24.5%; men: 11%). 16.7% of the participants consulted a mental health professional, with this being more common in women (women: 23.8%; men: 7.4%). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has affected the emotional well-being of adolescents, especially the female population. It is necessary to implement emotional well-being strategies in early childhood to cope with possible stressful situations in daily life and avoid future mental health problems. There is a growing use of social media to combat social isolation. The results of the study hold the potential to strategies aimed at preempting forthcoming biopsychosocial distress.