The role of spirituality and beliefs in the future in the mental health of Chinese adolescents during the pandemic

Abstract

This study first investigated the changes in spirituality and beliefs in the future among mainland Chinese adolescents pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak. Then it examined the impact of these two positive youth development attributes on the mental health of Chinese youth during the pandemic. Junior secondary school students and their parents from five schools in Sichuan, China participated in a two-wave longitudinal study. At Wave 1, 7,008 students (age = 12.94 ± 1.73 years; 48.64% female) and 6,778 parents (age = 39.21 ± 5.85 years; 52.62% female) completed the survey. At Wave 2, surveys were completed by 6,164 students (48.51% female) and their parents (51.50% female). In Wave 2, students showed lower levels of spirituality and future beliefs compared to Wave 1. Spirituality at Wave 1 was linked to reduced depression, anxiety, internet addiction, and behavioral problems at Wave 2. In addition, it reduced the adverse effects of COVID-related PTSD on depression and anxiety among adolescents. Beliefs in the future at Wave 1 were associated with decreased depression and internet addiction at Wave 2 and moderated the negative effects of COVID-related PTSD on students’ behavioral problems at Wave 2. Real-life challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may influence the development of spirituality and beliefs in the future among young Chinese adolescents. A high level of spirituality and positive beliefs about the future may protect adolescents from the detrimental effects the pandemic could have on their mental health.