Epidemiological study on long-term trend of adolescent mental health during the COVID-19

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21129
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: The Health Care Science Institute
• Principal Investigator: Morishima Ryo 公益財団法人医療科学研究所, 研究員育成委員会, 研究員 (30911771)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: COVID-19 / 思春期 / メンタルヘルス / 疫学調査

Outline of Final Research Achievements

After the outbreak of COVID-19, support for mental health problems among youths requires a long-term perspective. In addition, factors that were effective for prevention before the pandemic might not be fully effective due to lifestyle changes. In the present study, we conducted a large-scale epidemiological survey in collaboration with junior and senior high schools to examine the prevalence and prevention/risk factors (lifestyle habits, interpersonal relationships, and urban school life) of adolescent mental health problems. Approximately 1 in 5 adolescents had mental health problems (depressive anxiety symptoms). Sleep and physical activity habits and opportunities for communication via online with friends were suggested to be protective factors.

Free Research Field

社会精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、毎年5000名以上の思春期児を対象とした大規模疫学調査という一般化可能性の高いデータより、多くの思春期児が支援ニーズを抱えている可能性があることを示した。また、本研究の結果から、COVID-19流行下においてより良い生活習慣やオンラインを介したコミュニケーションの機会の促進が精神的不健康の予防に有効であることも示唆された。他方、その他の対人交流の状況や都市部での学校生活と精神的不健康の関係は、今後の研究でさらなる検証が必要となることを明らかにした。