ISSN: 2642-6250
Authors: Gamble JH*
Background: The impact of COVID-19 on psychological well-being has gained the increasing attention of scholars and mental health practitioners. Given the fears, restrictions, and lifestyle changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents are a vulnerable population in terms of psychological well-being. Moreover, given the emergence of new and more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2, such as the omicron variant (B.1.1.529), preparations for third, fourth, and further waves of the pandemic and accompanying upheavals to daily life must be made, including actions to protect vulnerable populations, such as adolescents. Objectives: The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate the protective and risk factors which influence the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents’ psychological well-being in order to, in turn, provide clearer suggestions and implications for healthcare professionals. Eligibility Criteria: Studies included in this review were required to meet the following criteria: include empirical findings related to either risk or protective factors for psychological wellbeing; be reported in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; include adolescent participants; and be available in full-text in the English language. Results: From a total of 6,696 articles, after excluding those with missing data, not being available in English, using nonempirical methods, or not being relevant to adolescents psychological wellbeing in the context of COVID-19, a total of 32 articles were selected for inclusion. Biological factors included gender, physical and mental disorders, and healthy habits and behaviors. Psychological factors included coping strategies, worry, resilience, other cognitive factors, and proactive behaviors. Social factors, including COVID-19 cases in the community, social support, family functioning or conflicts in the home, and routines. Conclusion: Implications for practitioners are provided, including care in making decisions regarding opening of schools, promotion of basic health behaviors, allocating resources to individuals with pre-existing physical and mental conditions, proving educational and financial resources for parents at risk of family dysfunction, and the provision of teacher support to reduce negative emotions and develop adolescents’ resilience.
Keywords: COVID-19; Psychological Well-Being; Risk Factors; Protective Factors; Adolescents; Scoping Review; Biopsychosocial Risk
