Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Recent events in Europe, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Russo–Ukrainian War (RUW), might have sparked anxiety among adolescents. This study aimed to compare anxiety levels in Lithuanian adolescents post-COVID-19 peak (Study 1, October 2021) and during the onset of the RUW (Study 2, April–Ju...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/32 |
| _version_ | 1797344423956185088 |
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| author | Laura Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė Monika Žemaitaitytė Kastytis Šmigelskas |
| author_facet | Laura Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė Monika Žemaitaitytė Kastytis Šmigelskas |
| author_sort | Laura Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent events in Europe, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Russo–Ukrainian War (RUW), might have sparked anxiety among adolescents. This study aimed to compare anxiety levels in Lithuanian adolescents post-COVID-19 peak (Study 1, October 2021) and during the onset of the RUW (Study 2, April–June 2022). Data from 459 participants in Study 1 and 6637 in Study 2, aged 11–17, were collected through HBSC pilot and national surveys in Lithuania. Self-reported questionnaires assessed anxiety, social media use, stress, loneliness, self-efficacy, and peer support factors. Analysis was conducted using multivariable logistic regressions. Notably, anxiety prevalence in Lithuanian adolescents showed no significant difference between Study 1 and Study 2, stabilizing around 24%. In 2021, stress (OR = 5.89, 95% CI 3.11–11.17), problematic social media use (OR = 4.58, 95% CI 1.89–10.58), and female gender (OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.58–5.22) significantly predicted anxiety. By 2022, stress (OR = 3.68, 95% CI 3.14–4.30), loneliness (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 2.43–3.35), and lower self-efficacy (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.20–1.60) emerged as important predictors. This study enhances our understanding of adolescent anxiety during crises, emphasizing the urgency of addressing multiple factors to manage and support vulnerable youth. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:02:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-712c27f6f41e4d52bbcffd698fc24b68 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:02:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-712c27f6f41e4d52bbcffd698fc24b682024-01-26T15:46:45ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672023-12-011113210.3390/children11010032Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional StudyLaura Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė0Monika Žemaitaitytė1Kastytis Šmigelskas2Health Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, LithuaniaHealth Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, LithuaniaHealth Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, LithuaniaRecent events in Europe, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Russo–Ukrainian War (RUW), might have sparked anxiety among adolescents. This study aimed to compare anxiety levels in Lithuanian adolescents post-COVID-19 peak (Study 1, October 2021) and during the onset of the RUW (Study 2, April–June 2022). Data from 459 participants in Study 1 and 6637 in Study 2, aged 11–17, were collected through HBSC pilot and national surveys in Lithuania. Self-reported questionnaires assessed anxiety, social media use, stress, loneliness, self-efficacy, and peer support factors. Analysis was conducted using multivariable logistic regressions. Notably, anxiety prevalence in Lithuanian adolescents showed no significant difference between Study 1 and Study 2, stabilizing around 24%. In 2021, stress (OR = 5.89, 95% CI 3.11–11.17), problematic social media use (OR = 4.58, 95% CI 1.89–10.58), and female gender (OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.58–5.22) significantly predicted anxiety. By 2022, stress (OR = 3.68, 95% CI 3.14–4.30), loneliness (OR = 2.85, 95% CI 2.43–3.35), and lower self-efficacy (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.20–1.60) emerged as important predictors. This study enhances our understanding of adolescent anxiety during crises, emphasizing the urgency of addressing multiple factors to manage and support vulnerable youth.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/32anxietyadolescentCOVID-19RUWwarHBSC |
| spellingShingle | Laura Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė Monika Žemaitaitytė Kastytis Šmigelskas Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study Children anxiety adolescent COVID-19 RUW war HBSC |
| title | Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full | Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_short | Exploring the Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety among Lithuanian Adolescents during Times of Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_sort | exploring the prevalence and predictors of anxiety among lithuanian adolescents during times of crisis a cross sectional study |
| topic | anxiety adolescent COVID-19 RUW war HBSC |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/32 |
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