Mental health through the adolescents eyes: longer term trends in Nordic countries

Research problem and specific questions: The overall purpose is to develop knowledge about how adolescents’ mental health has changed from 1986 to 2022 and investigate determinants of both mental well-being (positive mental health) and various forms of mental complaints reported by adolescents in Sweden and the other Nordic countries.The research questions include: What are the prevalence and time trends for different aspects of mental health and well-being in the different Nordic nations?

How are mental health and well-being affected by age (11-, 13- and 15-year-olds), gender, and socioeconomic status over time across the Nordic countries? What is the impact of school-, peer- and family-related resources on mental health and well-being?

Which contextual factors at the societal level contribute to Nordic national differences in prevalence and time trends of mental health and well-being?

What are the effects of the introduction of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being among adolescents? How does self-reported mental health relate to psychiatric diagnosis by a professional (Danish data only)?

What do young people see as the most important factors to understand mental health?Data and Method: This project is part of a Nordic research collaboration within the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: WHO Collaborative Cross-National survey/study (HBSC). Surveys have been conducted every fourth year since 1986.

The next survey will be 2025/2026.

The data quality is maintained by a standardised international research protocol that is strictly followed to ensure consistency in survey instruments, data collection and processing procedures. Data on psychiatric diagnosis and medication will be linked to recent Danish samples.

A qualitative study, Magnifying the voices of young people is also included.Plan for realisation: This application includes salaries (e.g., coordinator, researcher), funding for workshops and travel, register linkage of the Danish data, and the qualitative study.

The funding of the national HBSC data collection is covered by individual national agencies.Relevance:  Mental health amongst Nordic adolescents, particularly girls, has deteriorated.

The planned research project will provide unique opportunities to uncover prevalence and trends, along with individual and contextual factors associated with adolescents’ mental health, thus helping society understand and address mental health related matters.