The functioning of adolescents during quarantine – the role of non-professional and professional support in overcoming the problem of social isolation

PURPOSE: The main aim of the article is to discuss common concepts about the role of non-professional and professional support offered to teenagers during social isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic. A short description of various activities that could be offered by parents, teachers, resilient peers and psychologists are given. Some information on teenage resilience is presented. The information is discussed in the developmental context, including the main biological, environmental, and social problems revealed in teenage functioning during the pandemic. VIEWS: The COVID-19 pandemic heavily modified the social life of teenagers, and changed their daily lives. Young people were abruptly withdrawn from schools and outdoor activities. In effect, they were faced with uncertainty and alienation, which led to decreased levels of well-being and an increase in psychological problems. Some teenagers report feeling as well as they felt before the pandemic, or report a higher level of well-being than they experienced prior to period of social isolation. Discussion on the topic of resilience is therefore needed. Adolescents, more than any other age group, need social interactions with peers, time spent outdoors, and face-to-face communication with others. The lack of these thing, accompanied by stress, leads to many mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and changes in daily activity. Teenagers put a lot of effort to resisting these, but since the tentative social conditions continue, the damage to their mental functioning increases. CONCLUSIONS: Raising awareness and discussing these issues is crucial, in order to alert the public health system about the mental health needs of adolescents during the pandemic.