Publications by authors named "Jenni Helenius"
Article Synopsis
- - The study analyzed trends in social connectedness among Finnish secondary school students from 2017 to 2021, examining factors like gender, school level, and sociodemographic background in a sample of 450,864 students.
- - Results indicated a significant decline in social connectedness, with an 11% drop in students having 3 or more close friends, a 15% increase in loneliness, and an 8% decrease in school belonging, particularly among girls and those in upper secondary schools.
- - The findings highlighted that while socio-demographic disparities existed, more advantaged groups experienced faster declines, suggesting an urgent need for public health interventions that address the well-being of all students while considering their individual and environmental
Article Synopsis
- Adolescents' mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among those with disabilities.
- A study examined changes in mental health and unmet support needs in Finnish lower secondary school students before (2017-2019) and during (2021) the pandemic, revealing significant increases in anxiety and depression levels across the board, with the most severe effects on those with cognitive and mobility disabilities.
- Findings indicate that while the overall need for support rose for both disabled and non-disabled adolescents, the demand for help from social workers and psychologists was notably higher for those with mobility disabilities, highlighting a critical need for targeted resources for vulnerable populations.
Background: About 20-30% of children worldwide report depressive symptoms. This study examined associations between children's depressive symptoms, life events, and family factors.
Methods: Nationally representative data (n = 95,725) were drawn from the 2017 School Health Promotion Study in Finland.