Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Behaviours of Adolescents Living in Italy: Data from 2021/2022 HBSC Survey
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Italy was among the earliest countries globally to be heavily impacted by the outbreak of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). During this period, schools were closed to students, and distance learning was adopted. The school closure has changed children’s and adolescent’s everyday lives, affecting their emotional resilience and mental health overall. Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide evidence regarding the influence of the pandemic period and lockdown measures on the well-being of adolescents living in Italy. The effects of COVID-19 were evaluated. Methods: The Health Behaviour in School Aged-Children (HBSC) 2021/2022 Italian data were used to describe changes in different dimensions of adolescents’ lives (e.g., family and peer relationships, mental health, school performance, physical activity, eating behaviour, and life in general). Results: Data from a sample of 89,321 adolescents participating in the 2021/22 HBSC wave were analysed. The areas where adolescents reported the greatest positive perceived change due to the pandemic period were family relationships (54.0%) and relationships with friends (44.7%). In contrast, negative changes were noted on mental health (41.1%), physical activity practice (42.9%), and life expectancy in general (37.2%). The effects of the coronavirus measures on family finances (48.9%), eating behaviour (43.6%), and overall health (43.7%) were most frequently assessed as neutral, i.e., neither positive nor negative. Conclusions: These results, in particular the adverse COVID-19 effects, reinforce the idea that during a pandemic, in addition to containing the infectious agent, specific attention must be paid to adolescents’ well-being, preserving their mental health and overall health.
Source: Healthcare
Language: English
Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Funders: Università degli Studi di Siena, Università degli Studi di Padova, Regione Campania, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Università degli Studi di Torino, Regione Abruzzo, Regione Basilicata, Regione Calabria, Regione del Veneto, Regione Emilia-Romagna, Regione Lazio, Regione Liguria, Regione Lombardia, Regione Marche, Regione Molise, Regione Piemonte, Regione Puglia, Regione Toscana, Regione Umbria, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Provincia autonoma di Bolzano - Alto Adige
Award: G231039098
OpenAlex ID: W4413286596