Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Volume 18, Issue 23, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312795
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic; mental health; psychological well-being; young people; Austria; Turkey
Funding
- Medical Scientific Fund of the Mayor of the City of Vienna [COVID068]
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The study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of young people with and without a migratory background in Austria and Turkey. Results show a worsening of mental health and general psychological well-being with the progression of the pandemic, particularly among those with financial problems. Females in Turkey, both natives and migrants, reported a more deteriorated mental health status over time.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have impaired the mental health and well-being of young people. This study, for the first time, explores these aspects in young people with and without a migratory background during the extended course of the pandemic and restrictive measures, comparing two countries with a high COVID-19 prevalence: Austria and Turkey. Methods: The authors used the Psychological General Well-being index as part of an anonymous online survey with 3665 participants (ages 15-25), recruited from both countries during the first and the second waves of the pandemic, collecting data on individual experiences and problems encountered during the pandemic. Results: Mental health (b = 0.06, p < 0.023) and general psychological well-being worsened with the progression of the pandemic. Participants with financial problems had the most severe negative effect on mental health (b = 0.12, p < 0.001). Furthermore, females living in Turkey, both natives (b = -0.21, p < 0.001) and migrants (b = 0.25, p < 0.001), reported a more deteriorated mental health status over time. Conclusions: The extended pandemic duration and resultant lockdown restrictions have negatively affected the mental health of young people to varying degrees, depending on country of residence and migration background. A strong recovery plan that considers group-specific needs and vulnerabilities is urgently needed.
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