Impact of psychosocial stressors on emotional and behavioral problems in Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 period: the explanatory value of loneliness

BACKGROUND: Chinese adolescents experienced a variety of stressors during the COVID-19 home confinement period. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) among adolescents during the COVID-19 period. The study also examined the relationships between psychosocial stressors and adolescents’ EBPs, and explored the potential explanatory value of loneliness for any associations observed. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study which included 6,587 adolescents in Taizhou, China between April 16 and May 14, 2020. Adolescents’ EBPs were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while subjective feelings of loneliness were assessed using one item from the Children’s Depression Inventory. We applied structural equation modelling to assess direct and indirect associations (explained by loneliness) between psychosocial stressors (study problems, parent-child relationship, and family or friends with COVID-19) and the total difficulties and prosocial scores. RESULTS: The prevalence of EBPs in the sample was 31.6% for total difficulties and 37.5% for prosocial problems. After adjustment for a range of covariates, the presence of study problems, poor parent-child relationship and family or friends with COVID-19 were significantly associated with a higher SDQ total difficulties score (β=6.20, 21.46, 5.21; P<0.01) and a lower prosocial score (β=−0.79, −4.35, −1.65; P<0.01). There was an explanatory effect of loneliness on these associations, which explained 27–37% of the total effect on the total difficulties score and 11–37% on the prosocial score. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of psychosocial stressors during the home confinement period was related to higher EBPs in adolescents, and the relationship was partially explained by loneliness. Targeted psychosocial interventions towards loneliness and COVID-19 related stressors may improve adolescents’ psychological health.