Life satisfaction and aspects of subjective well-being of youth as indicators of youth mental health: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic perspectives

Antulić Majcen, Sandra and Naterer, Andrej and Kuterovac Jagodić, Gordana (2025) Life satisfaction and aspects of subjective well-being of youth as indicators of youth mental health: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic perspectives. In: Two countries, one crisis: the YO-VID22 pandemic study. Edition Special Editions . University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press ; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Maribor, pp. 19-47. ISBN 978-961-299-048-0 (Print), 978-961-299-047-3 (Online)

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Abstract

IN ENGLISH: This chapter examines youth well-being in Croatia and Slovenia before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular emphasis on mental health outcomes. Findings reveal a marked decline in life satisfaction across family life, friendships, and body image, with negative changes disproportionately affecting girls and young people of lower socio-economic status. During the pandemic, around one-fifth of respondents reported rarely or never experiencing positive emotions, while one-third frequently encountered negative states such as sadness, fear, or anger. Loneliness emerged as a significant concern, particularly among girls, though age-specific patterns differed between the two countries. Despite this, most young people retained access to supportive social networks, which served as an important protective factor. On the other hand, the post-pandemic period showed improvements in subjective well-being, which included stronger social connectedness and more positive emotional states. However, persistent vulnerabilities remain, particularly among girls, the youngest cohort, and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovo poglavlje istražuje dobrobit mladih u Hrvatskoj i Sloveniji prije, tijekom i nakon pandemije COVID-19, s posebnim naglaskom na ishode vezane uz mentalno zdravlje. Nalazi pokazuju značajan pad životnog zadovoljstva u područjima obiteljskog života, prijateljstava i slike o vlastitom tijelu, pri čemu su negativne promjene nesrazmjerno pogađale djevojke i mlade iz nižeg socio-ekonomskog statusa. Tijekom pandemije, oko petine ispitanika izjavilo je da rijetko ili nikada ne doživljavaju pozitivne emocije, dok se trećina često suočavala s negativnim stanjima poput tuge, straha ili ljutnje. Usamljenost se pokazala kao posebno izražen problem, osobito među djevojkama, premda su se dobni obrasci razlikovali između dviju zemalja. Unatoč tome, većina mladih zadržala je pristup podržavajućim društvenim mrežama, koje su služile kao važan zaštitni čimbenik. S druge strane, postpandemijsko razdoblje pokazalo je poboljšanja u subjektivnoj dobrobiti, uključujući jaču društvenu povezanost i više pozitivnih emocionalnih stanja. Ipak, ustrajne ranjivosti ostaju, osobito među djevojkama, najmlađom kohortom i mladima iz nepovoljnijih društveno-ekonomskih sredina.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Language: English. - Title in Croatian: Zadovoljstvo životom i aspekti subjektivne dobrobiti mladih kao pokazatelji mentalnog zdravlja mladih: perspektive prije, tijekom i nakon pandemije.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Life satisfaction, subjective well-being, mental health, youth vulnerabilities, COVID-19 pandemic (životno zadovoljstvo, subjektivna dobrobit, mentalno zdravlje, ranjivosti mladih, pandemija COVID-19)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Depositing User:	Karolina
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2025 11:57
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2025 11:57
URI:	http://idiprints.knjiznica.idi.hr/id/eprint/1233

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