Prospects and concerns for the future among teenagers in 2022
Roxane Dumont, Elsa Lorthe, Viviane Richard, Andrea Loizeau, Klara M Posfay-Barbe, Rémy P Barbe, Silvia Stringhini, Idris Guessous, for the SEROCoV-KIDS study group.
Future time perspectives and concerns among adolescents in 2022BMJ Paediatrics Open, 12 December 2024, doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-002367
Abstract
Background: Adolescents face significant psychological and behavioural challenges as they undergo rapid biological and social transformations, potentially exacerbated by global issues such as climate change, conflict or the COVID-19 pandemic. Future time perspectives (FTPs) and concerns about the future can be seen as indicators of current difficulties and predictors of future outcomes in this area. However, they remain little explored.
Aims: We sought to identify the factors associated with limited TFP and to describe concerns about the future among adolescents.
Method: The data come from a representative sample of adolescents aged 14 to 17 participating in the SEROCoV-KIDS cohort study in Geneva, Switzerland (October 2022).
Results: Of the 329 adolescents, 56/329 (17%) reported having limited TFP; determinants included previously low mental well-being, limited social support, identifying as a sexual minority, difficulties at school and excessive screen time. Adolescents' main concerns for the future were failure, education and climate change.
Conclusions: These results highlight the need to take account of young people's future prospects and concerns, and to implement interventions that strengthen teenagers' resilience.