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Cited by 187COVID-19 and Mental HealthSocial impacts of COVID-19Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

“I Hate This”: A Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents' Self-Reported Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Open access
Scott, Samantha R., Rivera, Kenia M., Rushing, Ella, Manczak, Erika M., Rozek, Christopher S., Doom, Jenalee R.·2021·Journal of Adolescent Health
DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.010PMC PMC7867622
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Abstract

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for adolescents because of disruptions in school and social life. We compiled a diverse group (36.8% nonwhite or multiracial) of high schoolers' open-ended responses to the question: "What are your three biggest challenges right now?" (N = 719 adolescents).Methods Using open and axial coding, we identified N = 1,902 thematic units (M = 2.64, SD = .701) and 14 thematic categories, including mental health, physical health, family, friends, social connection and community, academics, missing important events, socioeconomic issues, routine, COVID rules and adjustment, contraction/exposure to COVID, technology, and future plans.Results Adolescents most commonly reported challenges related to academics (23.7%) but also cited high numbers of challenges in mental (14.8%) and physical (13.2%) health and friend (11.4%) domains.Conclusions Efforts should focus on helping adolescents cultivate academic skills needed during school closures, providing mental/physical health resources and helping them navigate peer relationships-especially given ongoing remote education and social distancing due to the pandemic.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.010

Cites

27 of 27 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 33 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Academics and work habits was the most commonly endorsed category, comprising 23.7% of units.

    “This category was most commonly endorsed by adolescents (23.7%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Physical health challenges accounted for 13.4% of units.

    “Challenges fell into this category 13.4% of the time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Mental health challenges accounted for 14.8% of units.

    “A total of 14.8% of the units were assigned to this category.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The analysis identified 1,902 thematic units from 719 participants, with a mean of 2.64 units per participant (SD = .701, range 1-5).

    “In response to the open-ended question “what are your three biggest challenges right now", N = 719 participants wrote N = 1,902 thematic units (M = 2.64 units per participant, SD = .701, range: 1–5).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Friend-related challenges accounted for 11.4% of units.

    “The friend category (11.4% of units) includes friend conflict, missing friends, and not seeing friends.”
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    Findingown data

    The analysis generated a codebook with 14 thematic categories.

    “Using content analysis, we generated a codebook with 14 categories, each described in the following text.”
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    Findingown data

    Important events challenges accounted for 1.7% of units.

    “There were 1.7% of the responses coded in this category.”
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    Findingown data

    Technology challenges accounted for 1.4% of units.

    “The technology category (1.4% of all units)”
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    Findingown data

    While 6.8% of challenges involved COVID (rules/adjustment or contraction/exposure), only 1.4% involved concerns about contraction/exposure to the virus itself.

    “while 6.8% of challenges involved COVID (either COVID rules and adjustment or COVID contraction/exposure), only 1.4% of all challenges reported involved concerns about contraction of or exposure to the virus itself.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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    Findingown data

    Contraction/exposure to COVID challenges accounted for 1.4% of units.

    “Only 1.4% of units fell in this category.”
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    Findingown data

    A small number of units (1.1%) could not be coded.

    “We were unable to code a small number of units (1.1%; e.g., “I suck at frisbee golf").”
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    Findingown data

    Response categories were largely similar between the geographic location of school and socioeconomic status.

    “Response categories were largely similar between the geographic location of school and socioeconomic status.”
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    Findingown data

    Gender minority students reported the most challenges with mental and physical health, and social connection and community, and the least with family and friends.

    “Gender minority students reported the most challenges with mental and physical health, and social connection and community. However, this group reported the least challenges with family and friends.”
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    Findingown data

    The results confirm that mental and physical health are challenges faced by adolescents.

    “our results confirmed this is a challenge faced by adolescents.”
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    Study design and conductnone given

    The removal of demographic information from the data file used for coding minimized bias.

    “We made efforts to minimize bias, including the removal of any demographic information from the data file we used to code.”
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    Study design and conductown data

    The analysis did not run formal statistical tests because it was underpowered and exploratory, to minimize type 1 error.

    “We did not run any formal statistical tests as we were underpowered and wanted to minimize the risk of type 1 error due to multiple comparisons, and the analysis was exploratory in nature.”
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    Study design and conductreasoning

    The coding may be a partial reflection of the authors' biases and experiences.

    “our coding may be a partial reflection of our biases and experiences.”
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    Premisecitation

    Scientists have warned that COVID-19 will have unprecedented effects on mental health.

    “Scientists have warned that COVID-19 will have unprecedented effects on mental health [10,17]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [10] Holmes, 2020, Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: A call for action for mental health science, Lancet Psychiatry source

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    • cites [17] Gunnell, 2020, Suicide risk and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lancet Psychiatry source

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    Interpretationreasoning

    The findings may be less relevant to adolescents currently given recent social and political movement.

    “our data may be less relevant to adolescents at current given recent social and political movement.”
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    Premisecitation

    The COVID-19 virus does not disproportionately infect adolescents.

    “The COVID-19 virus itself does not disproportionately infect this age group [7].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] Castagnoli, 2020, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children and adolescents: A Systematic Review, JAMA Pediatr source

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    Premisecitation

    Mental health consequences of disasters outlast and cost more than physical health effects.

    “mental health consequences of disasters outlast and cost more than the physical health effects [18].”
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    • cites [18] Morganstein, 2020, Ecological disasters and mental Health: Causes, consequences, and interventions, Front Psychiatry source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The first three authors unitized and coded the entire dataset and were blinded to participants' race/ethnicity, gender, and age.

    “The first three authors unitized and coded the entire data set and were blinded to the participants’ race/ethnicity, gender, and age.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The study's conclusions are more applicable for students who may be experiencing continued disruptions this school year.

    “making our conclusions more applicable for students who may be experiencing continued disruptions this school year.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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    Premisecitation

    Adolescents highly value peer connection and approval and are more likely to experience onset of psychological disorders than during childhood.

    “Adolescents highly value peer connection and approval and are more likely to experience the onset of psychological disorders than during childhood [6].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Steinberg, 2001, Adolescent development, Annu Rev Psychol

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    Study design and conductnone given

    The codebook was tested with 80% of the units to ensure it captured all responses.

    “We tested the codebook with 80% of the units to ensure the codebook captured all responses.”
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    Study design and conductnone given

    During codebook testing and axial coding, coders were blinded to their original open-coding codes.

    “During the codebook testing and axial coding stage, we were blinded to our original codes generated during the open-coding process.”
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    Study design and conductnone given

    The authors' institutional review boards approved all procedures.

    “The authors’ respective institutional review boards approved all procedures.”
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    Premisecitation

    Subsidized meal programs, vaccination clinics, and school nurses are crucial resources for youth health care, now severely limited or unavailable.

    “Subsidized meal programs, vaccination clinics, and school nurses are also crucial resources for youth health care, which are now severely limited or unavailable [9,11].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [9] Armitage, 2020, Considering inequalities in the school closure response to COVID-19, Lancet Glob Health source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11] Lee, 2020, Mental health effects of school closures during COVID-19, Lancet Child Adolesc Health source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Historically, during economic recessions, use of special education services for emotional and behavioral challenges has increased while child and adolescent mental health worsens.

    “Historically, during economic recessions, the use of special education services for emotional and behavioral challenges has increased while child and adolescent mental health worsens [21].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] Golberstein, 2019, How do economic downturns affect the mental health of children? Evidence from the National health Interview survey, Heal Econ (United Kingdom)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    App-based psychosocial interventions may be helpful.

    “App-based psychosocial interventions may be helpful [31].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [31] Lau, 2020, Android and iPhone mobile apps for psychosocial wellness and stress management: Systematic search in app stores and literature review, JMIR MHealth UHealth source

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    Qualitative research has potential for researcher bias in interpretation.

    “with qualitative research, we recognize the potential for researcher bias in interpretation [32].”
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    • cites [32] Galdas, 2017, Revisiting bias in qualitative research: Reflections on its relationship with funding and impact, Int J Qual Methods source

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    Premisecitation

    Increasing rates of domestic violence have been reported globally during the pandemic.

    “during this pandemic, increasing rates of domestic violence have been reported globally [22].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] Bradbury-Jones, 2020, The pandemic paradox: The consequences of COVID-19 on domestic violence, J Clin Nurs source

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    Researchers have called for incorporating youth perspectives of COVID-19 public health regulations.

    “Researchers have called for incorporating and understanding youth perspectives of COVID-19 public health regulations when considering policy changes and understanding the pandemic’s effects [9,10].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [9] Armitage, 2020, Considering inequalities in the school closure response to COVID-19, Lancet Glob Health source

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    • cites [10] Holmes, 2020, Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: A call for action for mental health science, Lancet Psychiatry source

      Not checked in the free run.

28 of 28

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Adolescents' own reports of their biggest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic are not yet known.

    “we do not yet know what adolescents themselves report as their biggest challenges during this global pandemic.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Public officials and communities often overlook the healthcare schools provide to adolescents.

    “Public officials and communities often overlook the healthcare schools crucially provide to adolescents.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    All students quickly adapted to e-learning platforms.

    “Although all students quickly adapted to e-learning platforms”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Physical-health subgroup leader changes in the discussion

    Minor

    The results identify Hispanic/Latinx students as reporting the most physical-health challenges, but the discussion assigns that distinction to White-Asian students.

  • Physical-health percentage differs between sections

    Minor

    The abstract gives physical-health challenges as 13.2%, while the results give 13.4%.

  • COVID-exposure subgroup leader changes in the discussion

    Minor

    The results identify White-Latinx students as reporting the most challenges related to COVID contraction or exposure, whereas the discussion identifies White-Asian students.

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Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

1 of the 28 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Radha, 2020, E-Learning during lockdown of covid-19 pandemic, A Glob perspective, 13, 1088

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Scott, S. R., Rivera, K. M., Rushing, E., Manczak, E. M., Rozek, C. S., & Doom, J. R.
Affiliations
  • University of Denver (US)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author
Scott, Samantha R.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Adolescent Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-02
Volume
68
Issue
2
Pages
262-269
ISSN
1054-139X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.010
PMC
PMC7867622
OpenAlex
W3113010480
Cited by
185
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 31
FWCI
12.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Denver
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Social impacts of COVID-19
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents, adolescent problems, mental health, physical health, school closures, distance education, social distancing, peer relationships, family, socio-economic problems, COVID-19 exposure, technology use, social connectedness
MeSH terms
Social Interaction, COVID-19, Adolescent, Family, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Students, Education, Distance, Friends, Qualitative Research

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