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Impacts on Children and Adolescents’ Lifestyle, Social Support and Their Association with Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Shimin Zhu

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yanqiong Zhuang

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Patrick Ip

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health-related behaviors among children and adolescents are likely to be profound and long-lasting. This study aimed to investigate the changes in lifestyle and social support and their associations with negative impacts due to the pandemic. A classroom survey using stratified random sampling and structured questionnaire was conducted among Hong Kong primary and secondary school students. The paper-and-pen survey, administered by well-trained research assistants, was completed by 2863 participants aged 9–17 years old (M = 12.6, SD = 1.3) at a brief school reopening six months after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 48% and 37% of the participants stated that they paid increased attention to physical and mental health, respectively. About 20% to 40% stated that they found more support from their friends and family members; only a small percentage reported decreased social support. Around 25% to 50% spent more time to rest, relax, and exercise. The aforementioned changes varied among genders, education groups, and socio-economic status. In general, higher perceived vulnerability, feeling more stressed, apprehensive, and helpless were associated with more reported positive lifestyle changes, including more social/family support, increased mental health awareness, and a positive lifestyle. These positive changes serve as important cushions against the negative impacts of COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Shimin Zhu & Yanqiong Zhuang & Patrick Ip, 2021. "Impacts on Children and Adolescents’ Lifestyle, Social Support and Their Association with Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4780-:d:546586
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lynn Williams & Lesley Rollins & David Young & Leanne Fleming & Madeleine Grealy & Xanne Janssen & Alison Kirk & Bradley MacDonald & Paul Flowers, 2021. "What have we learned about positive changes experienced during COVID-19 lockdown? Evidence of the social patterning of change," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Yongdeng Lei & Jing’ai Wang & Yaojie Yue & Hongjian Zhou & Weixia Yin, 2014. "Rethinking the relationships of vulnerability, resilience, and adaptation from a disaster risk perspective," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 70(1), pages 609-627, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. María G. Gamero & Juan M. García-Ceberino & Sergio J. Ibáñez & Sebastián Feu, 2021. "Influence of the Pedagogical Model and Experience on the Internal and External Task Load in School Basketball," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Xiaodong Zheng & Yinglin Wang & Yue Zhang & Tinghe Deng & Yuanzheng Yang, 2022. "Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dietary Consumption among Chinese Residents: Evidence from Provincial-Level Panel Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Helena Jeriček Klanšček & Lucija Furman, 2023. "Socioeconomic Deprivation and Inequalities in Mental Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Alena Zolotareva & Sergei Shchebetenko & Svetlana Belousova & Irina Danilova & Vadim Tseilikman & Maxim Lapshin & Lilia Sarapultseva & Svetlana Makhniova & Maria Sarapultseva & Maria Komelkova & Deshe, 2022. "Big Five Traits as Predictors of a Healthy Lifestyle during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Russian Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-8, August.
    5. Lea Rossi & Nick Behme & Christoph Breuer, 2021. "Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, October.

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