Adolescent well-being in the context of the polycrisis, through the lens of school social workers’ practice in Finland - a qualitative interview study

Background The aim of this study was to examine how the adolescent students’ well-being, and the work of school social workers in supporting it, has changed during the recent polycrisis, from the perspective of school social workers. To our best knowledge, there is only limited research on school social work in Finland and on school social work during a pandemic more generally. Therefore, examining changes in school social workers’ work in the polycrisis can provide further insight into the effects of intertwined crises, including pandemics, on both adolescent well-being and the relatively under-researched field of school social work. Methods Participants of this qualitative interview study were Finnish school social workers ( n = 13), who had worked with adolescents (ages 10–19) before and during the polycrisis. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes depicting changes in adolescent well-being and the work of school social workers in supporting their well-being. Results The results indicate that during the polycrisis, sub-crises of the polycrisis may have intertwined, diversifying sources of adolescent distress and their interactions, producing intensified mental health symptoms, social challenges, and fear for the future, reinforced by weakened social trust. This is reflected in the increasing prevalence of complex symptoms at younger ages than before, as well as in Finnish school social workers’ growing caseloads and the shift of their work more toward mental health work. Conclusions This study indicates that adolescent students’ social trust is closely linked to future-oriented anxiety and beliefs in their own efficacy, which in turn influence mental health outcomes. Consequently, it is important for future research to examine the broader effects of social trust, including its interaction with political decision-making. Furthermore, given the cruciality of schools in supporting adolescent well-being, it is essential to investigate strategies for enhancing school engagement and preventing absenteeism during global crises.