Changes in mental health across gender and resilience among Norwegian adolescents into the COVID-19 pandemic: the Young-HUNT study

AIMS: The objective of this follow-up study was to investigate whether changes in mental health from before and into the COVID-19 pandemic varied between girls and boys, as well as between adolescents with high and low levels of resilience. METHODS: = 1565, 64% girls) who participated in the Young-HUNT4 (2017-2019) and the Young-HUNT COVID (2021) surveys. We measured six dimensions of mental health using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. The resilience factors-family cohesion, personal competence and social competence-were measured using the Resilience Scale for Adolescents. Linear mixed models were used to investigate whether change in the mental health dimensions depended on sex or level of resilience. RESULTS: Change in mental health appeared to differ by sex and resilience level. Specifically, girls showed greater increases in hyperactivity, emotional symptoms and total difficulties, whereas boys displayed greater increases in peer problems along with greater decreases in prosocial behaviour. Compared with adolescents with low resilience, those with high resilience demonstrated a stronger increase in emotional symptoms, peer problems and total difficulties. Adolescents with low resilience displayed a greater decrease in prosocial behaviour. A decrease in conduct problems was observed among adolescents with low resilience, which was not evident among those with high resilience.