Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of school-going adolescents: a multimethods study
1
Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
2
Nursing, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3155
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented repercussions in history. Although adolescents are less susceptible to the most severe clinical forms of COVID-19, they are not indifferent to its impact. This study aimed to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of school-going adolescents.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods study with a sequential explanatory design was conducted, guided by the Social Ecological Model and the Health Belief Model. The study was carried out with 471 Brazilian school-going adolescents between 2022 and 2023. In the first, quantitative phase, a questionnaire was administered to collect sociodemographic data and to identify beliefs, knowledge, and risk perception related to COVID-19, as well as perceived social support. In the second, qualitative phase, six focus groups were conducted. Data were organized according to the Pillar Integration Process. The study followed regulatory standards for research involving human subjects.
RESULTS:
Data were compiled into an integration matrix from which five convergent pillars emerged: School (organizational level)—impact on learning, with the school functioning as an environment for fostering social bonds and facilitating learning; Remote education (organizational level)—the resources required for remote education were identified as barriers associated with the learning process; Support networks (interpersonal level)—social isolation intensified fear, distancing, and the weakening of peer relationships; Risk and exposure (intrapersonal level)—recognition of the possibility of infection for oneself and for close contacts; and Severity (intrapersonal level)—perceptions of the seriousness of COVID-19 determined the adoption of preventive behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study demonstrated that perceptions of risk and severity of the health crisis contributed to adolescents adopting self-protective behaviors for themselves and their families. Consequently, their mental health was affected by feelings of fear and anxiety, which were reflected in social interactions during the isolation period and in the post-pandemic context.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented repercussions in history. Although adolescents are less susceptible to the most severe clinical forms of COVID-19, they are not indifferent to its impact. This study aimed to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of school-going adolescents.
METHODS:
A mixed-methods study with a sequential explanatory design was conducted, guided by the Social Ecological Model and the Health Belief Model. The study was carried out with 471 Brazilian school-going adolescents between 2022 and 2023. In the first, quantitative phase, a questionnaire was administered to collect sociodemographic data and to identify beliefs, knowledge, and risk perception related to COVID-19, as well as perceived social support. In the second, qualitative phase, six focus groups were conducted. Data were organized according to the Pillar Integration Process. The study followed regulatory standards for research involving human subjects.
RESULTS:
Data were compiled into an integration matrix from which five convergent pillars emerged: School (organizational level)—impact on learning, with the school functioning as an environment for fostering social bonds and facilitating learning; Remote education (organizational level)—the resources required for remote education were identified as barriers associated with the learning process; Support networks (interpersonal level)—social isolation intensified fear, distancing, and the weakening of peer relationships; Risk and exposure (intrapersonal level)—recognition of the possibility of infection for oneself and for close contacts; and Severity (intrapersonal level)—perceptions of the seriousness of COVID-19 determined the adoption of preventive behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study demonstrated that perceptions of risk and severity of the health crisis contributed to adolescents adopting self-protective behaviors for themselves and their families. Consequently, their mental health was affected by feelings of fear and anxiety, which were reflected in social interactions during the isolation period and in the post-pandemic context.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
