“The Future Looks Brighter Since the Pandemic”. Characteristics of Optimistic Teens in Switzerland

ABSTRACT

Purpose: There is a growing interest in the research and healthcare communities for youth mental health in times of COVID-19. In this line, there are also several calls to pay special attention to the future and the post-pandemic life. The aim of this research was to determine the characteristics of adolescents who reported an optimistic view of their future. Methods: In an online survey on the mental health of adolescents (N=1197;mean age 16.5) in Switzerland and the Liechtenstein carried out in the spring/summer of 2021, we asked them how they thought their future looked since the beginning of the pandemic, with four possible answers better (n=183), the same (n=505), worse (n=334), I don’t know (n=175). We divided the sample into two groups those envisaging a better future (BF) and the other three groups were combined into Other Options. First, we compared the two groups on sociodemographic, and physical and mental health variables using chi2 for categorical variables and student’s t for continuous ones. Results are given as odds ratios (OR). All variables significant at the bivariate level (p<.05) controlling for age and gender, were included in a backward logistic regression. Results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR). Results: At the bivariate level, BF teens reported a significantly higher socioeconomic status (OR 2.97), better perceived physical health (OR 3.18), better physical (OR 3.63) and mental (OR 7.64) health since the beginning of the pandemic, better emotional wellbeing (OR 1.87), and better self-esteem (OR 2.17). They were also significantly less inclined to report having a chronic condition (OR 0.51) or feeling anxious (OR 0.49) or depressed (OR 0.31). No differences were found for age, gender, family structure, sport practice or substance use. At the multivariate level, the only variables that remained in the backward regression were having a better mental (aOR 5.03) and physical (aOR 1.98) health since the beginning of the pandemic, reporting an above average socioeconomic status (aOR 2.53), and being less likely to be depressed (aOR 0.42). Conclusions: A minority of adolescents think that their future looks better since the beginning of the pandemic. These youths also consider that both their physical and mental health is better and are less likely to be depressed. Additionally, they have an above average socioeconomic status. Interestingly, this phenomenon is independent from age, gender, family structure or substance use. Overall, they seem to be the “optimistic” group that thinks that good things can come out of the pandemic, and the fact that they belong to a more privileged and sure socioeconomic status probably can explain it. Whether these youths were already the optimistic group before the pandemic remains to be studied. In the same line, it will be interesting to analyze if they really are doing better once the pandemic will be over. If this is the case, they could open the way to find new approaches to engage and motivate young people regarding their future. Sources of Support This research was funded by UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein.