Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Swedish adolescents’ mental well-being: the role of impulsivity, sleep, spirituality, and self-esteem

Background This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being and the mediating roles of impulsivity, sleep problems, spiritual health, and self-esteem in this association. Methods Swedish adolescents ( n = 5548; boys = 50.9%) responded to an online survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, impulsivity, sleep problems, spiritual health, self-esteem, and mental well-being between September and October 2020. Results The multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) results for the whole group revealed a significant direct effect of COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being and significant mediating effects of impulsivity, sleep problems, spiritual health, and self-esteem ( p < 0.01). The mediators among girls (p values < 0.05) were similar to those among the whole group, but among boys, self-esteem ( p = 0.186) was not significant. Conclusions Generally, there are multiple pathways through which COVID-19 pandemic affects the well-being of adolescents. Therefore, there may be a need for psychoeducation and/or counseling on different coping strategies during infectious pandemics with a high risk of mortality to enhance mental well-being.