Secondary school students less happy than before the coronavirus pandemic

Happiness

In 2019, 84% of students indicated that they were (very) happy; in the autumn of 2021, this proportion had fallen to 77%. The proportion of students who indicated that they were (very) happy is higher among boys than among girls and among second-year students than among fourth-year students. The decrease in happiness is visible in all regions.

Events during the coronavirus period

Events experienced during the coronavirus period, such as quarantine, coronavirus infection, hospitalisation, and the illness or death of someone close (whether or not due to coronavirus), have had a major impact on some second- and fourth-year students. Three-quarters of students experienced at least one of these events during the coronavirus pandemic; more than half were quarantined at some point. One in five students indicated that they were still affected by such an event. The events during the coronavirus period with the greatest impact were the death of someone close and the students’ own hospitalisation. Of the students who had been hospitalised due to coronavirus or something else (5%), almost one-third were still affected by this.

Impact of events during the coronavirus period

Although the impact of events during the coronavirus period appears to have been limited for the majority of students, a small proportion of students (6%) have an increased risk of serious psychosocial problems. This is shown by the results of a questionnaire measuring post-traumatic stress symptoms. The students with these symptoms felt happy less often (48%). In addition, these students more often experienced psychological problems, stress and loneliness, more often had suicidal thoughts, and more often needed additional support or help during the coronavirus period. Students with these serious psychosocial problems constitute a vulnerable group. These symptoms occur more often among girls, students with a lower level of education, and students in households where making ends meet is experienced as difficult.

Suicidal thoughts

One-fifth of the second- and fourth-year students indicated that they had had suicidal thoughts in the year preceding completion of the questionnaire: 17% ‘once’ or ‘occasionally’ and almost 5% ‘(very) often’. A comparable percentage was found in the quarterly survey among a youth panel (aged 12 to 25), which is also conducted by the GOR Network. Suicidal thoughts occur more often among students in households where making ends meet is experienced as difficult, students who do not live with both parents, and girls.

Resilience and confidence in the future

To measure resilience, students were asked, among other things, whether young people recover quickly after a difficult period. This applies to two-thirds of young people. Slightly more than half have a great deal of confidence in the future. The proportion of young people who usually recover quickly after a difficult period is higher among boys, pre-university education students, students who live with both parents, and students in households where making ends meet is not experienced as difficult. The proportion of young people who have a great deal of confidence in the future is higher among second-year students, boys, and students in households where making ends meet is not experienced as difficult. The results of this study highlight the need for attention to mental health and appropriate measures. The GOR Network advises (local) policymakers on this matter.

Corona Health Monitor for Youth 2021

In the autumn of 2021, all municipal public health services (GGDs), in collaboration with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), conducted an additional study as part of the Corona Health Monitor for Youth among secondary school students in years 2 and 4. In total, nearly 167,000 students from 759 mainstream secondary schools across the Netherlands completed a questionnaire about health and well-being. At the time of the study, schools were open, but various coronavirus measures were still in place, such as staying home when experiencing symptoms, wearing face masks, keeping distance, quarantine measures in the event of direct infection or infection of family members, and partly digital lessons. The questionnaire was tailored to the coronavirus period. The regular Health Monitors for Youth took place in 2015 and 2019. By comparing the data, the figures can be compared with one another. More information about the Health Monitors can be found at www.monitorgezondheid.nl.

GOR Network

The municipal public health services (GGDs) conducted the Corona Health Monitor for Youth 2021 as part of the GOR-COVID-19 Integrated Health Monitor. This involved collaboration with GGD GHOR Netherlands, the RIVM, Nivel and ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre; together forming the GOR Network. ZonMw commissioned the monitor on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The study is intended to provide insight into the physical and mental health effects of the coronavirus pandemic on second- and fourth-year students in mainstream secondary education. The aim of the monitor is to advise and support local and regional policymakers and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in policy development based on the results.