EMPIRICAL ARTICLE
Intra- and interpersonal factors and adolescent wellbeing during COVID-19 in three countries
Ann T. Skinner,
Carmen Kealy,
Mette Ranta,
Aprile D. Benner,
Ersilia Menesini,
Ingrid Schoon,
Corresponding Author
Ann T. Skinner
Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
Correspondence
Ann T. Skinner, Center for Child and Family Policy, Box 90545, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0545, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorCarmen Kealy
School of Education, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorMette Ranta
Department of Education, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorAprile D. Benner
Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
Search for more papers by this authorErsilia Menesini
Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures, and Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAnn T. Skinner,
Carmen Kealy,
Mette Ranta,
Aprile D. Benner,
Ersilia Menesini,
Ingrid Schoon,
Corresponding Author
Ann T. Skinner
Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
Correspondence
Ann T. Skinner, Center for Child and Family Policy, Box 90545, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0545, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorCarmen Kealy
School of Education, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
Search for more papers by this authorMette Ranta
Department of Education, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Search for more papers by this authorAprile D. Benner
Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
Search for more papers by this authorErsilia Menesini
Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures, and Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 26 June 2023
Abstract
COVID-19 has altered adolescents' opportunities for developing and strengthening interpersonal skills and proficiencies. Using data from adolescents in Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom, we examined the relation between internalizing symptoms assessed pre-pandemic or when pandemic-related restrictions were lifted (Time 1) and associated internalizing symptoms during a subsequent restrictive pandemic period (Time 2). Across all 3 countries, we found significant and consistent effect sizes in the relation between Time 1 and Time 2 internalizing symptoms. We further examined the direct and moderating impact of self-efficacy and contextual supports for adolescents' internalizing symptoms. Higher self-efficacy was associated with lower levels of internalizing symptoms at Time 2 in all 3 countries. Additionally, the relation between Time 1 and 2 internalizing symptoms was buffered by regulatory self-efficacy and peer support in Italy, but in the U.S., higher levels of general self-efficacy instead had an exacerbating effect on the relation between Times 1 and 2 internalizing symptoms. Results are discussed in the context of utilizing cross-national datasets to examine similarities in adolescent well-being over time and in the face of varying government responses to the pandemic.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Data for individual studies may be made available upon request.
Supporting Information
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