Social Support, Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Wellbeing in 16-Year-Olds During Covid-19

Oct 15, 2026

Growing research on adolescents’ mental health during Covid-19 highlights how social relationships shape wellbeing. This study used secondary data from the first wave of the COVID-19 Social Mobility and Opportunities (COSMO) Study and applied multiple linear and binary logistic regression models. Psychological distress, depression and generalized anxiety symptoms, self-esteem, and life satisfaction were examined against physical health, social support, and interpersonal violence (face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination) plus demographic factors in 16-year-olds.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Mental health risk during Covid-19

Social factors and interpersonal violence

Social support and wellbeing

| | European Journal of Psychology and Educational Research
Volume 8, Issue 1, 1-15.
ISSN: 2589-949X
[https://www.ejper.com](https://www.ejper.com) | | --- | --- | Social Support, Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Wellbeing in 16-Year-Olds During Covid-19 Dimitra Hartas * University of Warwick, UK Olivia Wilder Independent Researcher, UK Received: October 29, 2024 ▪ Revised: December 18, 2024 ▪ Accepted: January 22, 2025 Abstract: Growing research evidence on young people’s mental health and wellbeing during Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of examining the social relationships and circumstances that surround adolescent life. This study analysed secondary data obtained from the first wave of the COVID-19 Social Mobility and Opportunities (COSMO) Study, which examined the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Through a series of multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses, psychological distress, elevated symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety, and self-esteem and life satisfaction were examined in relation to physical health, social support, interpersonal violence (i.e., face to face bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination), and demographic background in 16-year-olds during the pandemic. The findings showed that young people were more likely to report higher psychological distress and elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety if they were female, had poor physical health and limited family and community support, and experienced bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination. The same measures were also found to predict low self-esteem and life satisfaction. The findings have significant implications regarding the nature of mental health and wellbeing in young people and the importance of accounting for interpersonal violence and social support when examining mental health in 16-year-olds, especially during health crises. A multisectoral approach involving health and education sectors, in collaboration with family and community support services, is advocated to reduce interpersonal violence and support young people’s mental health. Keywords: Bullying, cyberbullying, interpersonal violence, mental health, social isolation. To cite this article: Hartas, D., & Wilder, O. (2025). Social support, interpersonal violence, mental health and wellbeing in 16-year-olds during Covid-19. European Journal of Psychology and Educational Research, 8(1), 1-15. [https://doi.org/10.12973/ejper.8.1.1](https://doi.org/10.12973/ejper.8.1.1) Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered fundamental changes in the lives of young people, putting them at an increased risk of mental health difficulties, including PTSD, psychosis, mood disorders, and suicide (e.g., Liu et al., 2020; Newlove-Delgado et al., 2022; Racine et al., 2021) and concentration difficulties, irritability, restlessness, loneliness, and worry (e.g., Orgiléset al., 2020) . Across the globe during the pandemic, the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms doubled among adolescents (Racine et al., 2021). In the UK, findings from the 2022 Mental Health of Children and Young People in England (MHCYP) Study showed that 18% of children aged 7 to 16 years and 22% of young women aged 17 to 24 years were likely to have mental ill health. Young people who experienced adversity in the form of pre-existing mental ill health or life-long illness and disability, and females in particular, were shown to have experienced reduced mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic (Newlove-Delgado et al., 2022; Stroud & Gutman, 2021) . A growing body of research on mental health and subjective wellbeing during Covid-19 (e.g., Banks & Xu, 2020; Henderson et al., 2020; Pierce et al., 2020; Stroud & Gutman, 2021) has mostly focused on children and young people’s personal characteristics (e.g., gender), prior physical or mental illness and household factors (e.g., parenting, family income) . It is less clear, however, the extent

FAQs

What data and analytical approach were used in the study?

The study analysed secondary data from the first wave of the COSMO Study. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses examined outcomes in 16-year-olds.

Which factors were linked to higher psychological distress and elevated symptoms?

Higher distress and elevated depression and anxiety symptoms were reported among those who were female, had poor physical health, limited family/community support, and experienced bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination.

What do the findings suggest for improving young people’s mental health during crises?

The findings emphasize accounting for interpersonal violence and social support, advocating a multisectoral approach combining health and education with family and community support services.

Oct 15, 2026

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