<p>The COVID-19
pandemic and containment efforts seem to be particularly challenging for
adolescents. This study assessed mental health in 14- to 20-year-old high
school students 1.5 years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in
Austria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from 14<sup>th</sup>
September 2021 to 14<sup>th</sup> November 2021. Well-being (WHO-5), depressive
symptoms (PHQ-9), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) and sleep quality (ISI) were
assessed. A total of 1505 adolescents participated
(77.9% girls). The cut-off
for
clinically relevant depressive symptoms (i.e., PHQ-9 score, ≥11) was exceeded
by 61.9% girls and 38.1% boys and 49.3% girls and 28.8% boys had clinically
relevant anxiety symptoms (i.e., GAD-7 score, ≥11). Clinically relevant moderate
insomnia (i.e., ISI score, ≥15) was reported by 27.5% girls and 16.7% boys. The
prevalence of suicidal ideation (item 9 of the PHQ-9) within the last 2 weeks
was 46.8% in girls and 32.0% in boys. These data collected in autumn 2021 (at
the start of the second semester of reopened schools; t2) were compared
to data collected in February 2021 (one semester after almost exclusively remote
schooling; t1). A matched pairs analysis according to age, gender, region,
school type and migration background resulted in a total sample size of N = 2514
adolescents (70.1% females). Results showed small reduction in mental health
(i.e., well-being, depressive symptoms, insomnia, suicidal ideation) in girls at
t2 compared to t1, and an increase in suicidal thoughts in boys (all <i>p</i>-values
<0.05). Results suggest that mental health burden in adolescents remained
high 1.5 years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the need
to implement timely psychological support. </p>
The Analysis of Spiritual Well-Being and Sexual Attitude of Female High School Students