Stress and coping strategies among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a worldwide health- and societal crisis. Youth were exposed to enduring stressors. We examined types and load of stressors faced by youth, and their use of coping strategies. A population-based sample within Bergen municipality, Norway (N = 1031, 11–19 years) completed the Response to Stress Questionnaire 9 months into the pandemic. Social stressors were most frequent, with secondary control engagement being the most used coping strategy. Stress and coping strategies differed depending on sex, age, and socioeconomic status. Heightened stress were associated with primary and secondary control engagement, and disengagement. Thus, youth employed a range of coping strategies to an increasing degree with heightened levels of COVID-19 stress. The frequency of secondary control engagement aligns with the enduring uncontrollable nature of the outbreak. For future health crises, authorities should focus on social stressors experienced by youth, especially among girls, older youth, and youth with low socioeconomic status.