The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on the mental health of adolescents in China: A Review of Current Evidence

Abstract

This study utilizes current evidence to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on the mental health of adolescents in China. This dissertation is divided into two perspectives. Firstly, based on the literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' mental health in China, a systematic review has been conducted to understand the current evidence of adolescents' mental health in China and investigate the positive and negative effects of the pandemic. The aim was to examine high-quality research that provided insights into strategies to address Chinese adolescents' mental health consequences due to the pandemic. This study reveals that although the COVID-19 pandemic conditions have had some positive factors contributing to the mental health of Chinese adolescents, overall, the mental health problems (such as anxiety and depression) of Chinese adolescents are on the rise. These findings have important implications for health professionals, policymakers, Chinese school leaders, teachers, and parents. The second part of the study utilizes critical discourse analysis to critically evaluate the government policy supporting adolescents' mental health during the pandemic. The study explains the Chinese government's official position on adolescent mental health. The results reveal that the Chinese government policy is not responding to the mental health needs of Chinese adolescents. The Chinese government needs to recognize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in China and introduce policies to strengthen mental health support for adolescents during pandemic conditions when normal social structures are disrupted.