Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40376436›Full record

ReviewEXCLI journal2025

Exploring the prevalence and risk factors of adolescent mental health issues in the COVID and post-COVID era in the U.K.: A systematic review.

Kelvin Kanayo Nwabueze, Nnaemeka Akubue, Ademola Onakoya, Stella Chidinma Okolieze, Ikponmwosa J Otaniyen-Igbinoba, Chisom Chukwunonye, Chinelo Grace Okengwu, Temiloluwa Ige, Oluwaseyi Joy Alao, Kelechi Nelson Adindu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in EXCLI journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Kelvin Kanayo NwabuezeAcute Medicine Department, Watford General Hospital, West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, U.K.
Nnaemeka AkubueSchool of Allied & Public Health, University of Chester, Chester, U.K.
Ademola OnakoyaDepartment of Primary Care, Old Catton Medical Practice (NHS), Norwich, U.K.
Stella Chidinma OkoliezeDepartment of Biomedical Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.
Ikponmwosa J Otaniyen-IgbinobaDepartment of Family Medicine, Lily Hospitals Limited, Warri, Nigeria.
Chisom ChukwunonyeDepartment of General Medicine, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wales, U.K.
Chinelo Grace OkengwuDepartment of General Medicine, The Royal Shrewsbury and Telford (NHS), Shrewsbury, U.K.
Temiloluwa IgeDepartment of Psychiatry, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Worcester, U.K.
Oluwaseyi Joy AlaoDepartment of Psychiatry, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Worcester, U.K.
Kelechi Nelson AdinduSchool of Allied & Public Health, University of Chester, Chester, U.K.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Adolescence is a developmental phase largely characterized by rapid biological and non-biological transformations, with a heightened susceptibility to social and environmental influences. Hence, adolescents are particularly vulnerable to external stressors, underscoring the need to safeguard their well-being and prioritize mental health interventions. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused a global crisis with profound societal disruptions, and led to lasting impact on global public health, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including adolescents. In view of the unique developmental challenges faced by adolescents, it is imperative to assess the growing burden of mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. This review synthesizes existing evidence on the emerging mental health challenges faced by adolescents in the United Kingdom (UK) as exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, and SpringerNature databases, resulting in the selection of ten high-quality studies. A thematic analysis of the collected data revealed that depression and anxiety were the most frequently reported mental health conditions among adolescents. These conditions were particularly prevalent among adolescents who were from low-income households, those with pre-existing mental health disorders, adolescents experiencing household conflicts, females, and those who provided self-reported data. Several key risk factors were identified, including family and peer relationships, academic pressures such as examinations and grades, financial constraints within households, and the corruptive influence of social media. The findings underscore the urgency of targeted mental health interventions tailored to the specific needs of adolescents in the U.K. By addressing the identified risk factors, mental health professionals, policymakers, and educators can develop more effective strategies to mitigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on this vulnerable population. This study contributes to the evolving body of literature and emphasizes the need for evidence-based policies to foster overall well-being and resilience in adolescents navigating post-pandemic challenges.

Indexed as

adolescentsCOVID-19mental healthprevalencerisk factorsUnited Kingdom

Identifiers

PMID40376436
PMCPMC12078782

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.