One in four secondary school students experiences stress due to school and homework

The report ‘Happiness Under Pressure?’ provides national figures on stress, performance pressure and social comparison for the first time. It also examines the mental well-being of MBO and HBO students up to the age of 18.

Results

One in four young people most often experiences stress because of school. School pressure is not only unpleasant; this study also shows that the more pressure they experience, the less satisfied they are with their lives. One in three school students struggles with pressure to meet their own expectations or those of others. One in ten young people also say that they do not have enough free time. Only two percent experience stress because of social media. The figures are included in this factsheet.

Recommendations for parents and caregivers, the government and professionals

Based on the research, UNICEF recommends investing in the development of young people’s social and emotional skills, both at home and at school. UNICEF also advocates working with young people to explore how school pressure can be reduced, creating a school environment in which students feel seen, can be themselves and can ask for help, and promoting more dialogue between adults and young people to gain greater insight into their world.

Young people as part of the research

The research is being conducted in collaboration with the Trimbos Institute, Stichting Alexander, Utrecht University and young people themselves. UNICEF believes it is important that young people are not only talked about, but that people also talk with them. Young people have therefore been actively involved in the research from the very beginning. Including young people’s own perspectives and experiences is essential to answering the questions above. They were therefore involved from the outset in considering the research questions and methods, the communication and the recommendations.

Version for young people in online magazine

With the publication of ‘Happiness Under Pressure?’, UNICEF hopes that more attention will be paid to the need to invest in young people’s mental well-being from an early age. This will ensure that it plays a much greater role in the lives of children and young people—at school, at home and in the way our society is organised. The findings and insights are available especially for young people in the online youth magazine ‘Happiness Under Pressure?’

Resilient young people

UNICEF is committed to resilient young people. This research is part of the international Generation Unlimited programme, of which UNICEF is a part. As part of this programme, UNICEF works with young people around the world to investigate what they need for the society of today and tomorrow. Young people’s mental resilience is an essential part of this.