The Teenage Years: A Time of Turmoil and Crisis

A New Perspective on Adolescence

The common narrative around teenage behavior in the UK sets parents up for a fairly sustained period of turbulence and unpleasantness. But as I navigate the teenage years with my oldest daughter, now 16, my whole outlook on adolescence has undergone a meteoric transformation. I now hold supremely compassionate explanations for the unusual behavior, mood swings, and bad choices that appear to be abundant features of the adolescent years – and especially so for those who were growing up during the pandemic.

Mental Health Decline

During the COVID pandemic, teens should have been busy cultivating independence, nurturing friendships, and molding their identities. Instead, they lived through a global public health crisis that resulted in not only catastrophic health and economic consequences but also extreme disruptions in vital educational, social, and family interactions over a sustained lockdown. This has left a lasting legacy for the lives of young people and has potentially reshaped the landscape of their social and emotional development.

Research Findings

Our research team, which I was a part of, monitored the mental health of the UK population during the pandemic. Some of the findings were borne out in our data. Young men aged 19-25, for example, were more likely than any other age group to be arrested for breaking social distancing rules. This reflects the inherent teenage drive to seek social connection, even if it means taking risks.

However, as we listened to the voices of young people in our research, the data began to tell us a more complex story. In a world where teens are already misunderstood, the pandemic actually seemed to be making all the existing struggles that young people face today worse, including loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

The Impact on Teenagers

Teens experienced uncertainty about the future and pressure around school, career, and finances, resulting in a perceived lack of control over their lives. We became very concerned about the increasing levels of distress that certain groups of young people were experiencing. This was particularly worrying when you bear in mind that adolescence is a critical period for developing mental health issues.

Our research showed that during the pandemic, around 30% of teens surveyed met the criteria for suffering from clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Over half – 53% – met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder related to COVID.

Conclusion

The pandemic has highlighted the need for a more compassionate and nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by teenagers. The crisis in young people’s mental health means securing a healthy, thriving adult population in the future becomes less certain. If young people cannot navigate the transition into adulthood successfully, this has huge implications for the next generation and whether they can contribute in positive ways, socially and economically, to society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the key findings of your research on the impact of the pandemic on teenagers’ mental health?
A: Our research found that teenagers experienced increased levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder during the pandemic. Around 30% of teens surveyed met the criteria for suffering from clinical levels of anxiety and depression, while over half met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder related to COVID.

Q: What are the long-term implications of the pandemic on teenagers’ mental health?
A: The pandemic has highlighted the need for a more compassionate and nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by teenagers. The crisis in young people’s mental health means securing a healthy, thriving adult population in the future becomes less certain. If young people cannot navigate the transition into adulthood successfully, this has huge implications for the next generation and whether they can contribute in positive ways, socially and economically, to society.

Q: What can be done to support teenagers’ mental health?
A: Young people need support and connection. This helped them get through the pandemic, and it can help them now. It means helping them combat loneliness, develop resilience, and build functional, good-quality relationships. It also means helping them increase their self-esteem and regain a sense of control. Crucially, the family remains a key source of support and guidance for young people.