The association between loneliness, mental well-being, and self-esteem among adolescents in four nordic countries

• Published in: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Main Authors: Lyyra, Nelli, Thorsteinsson, Einar Baldvin, Eriksson, Charli, Madsen, Katrine Rich, Tolvanen, Asko, Löfstedt, Petra, Välimaa, Raili
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Adolescents; Loneliness; Mental well-being; Nordic countries; Positive mental health; Public health; Self-esteem; Iceland
• Online Access: https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/47e0ad16-74ba-4437-84ce-67923e342a43; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147405; https://findresearcher.sdu.dk/ws/files/197843108/ijerph_18_07405.pdf

Positive mental health is central to adolescent well-being. The present study examines the prevalence of loneliness and positive mental health indicators (mental well-being and self-esteem) in four Nordic countries and associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and high self-esteem. This study is based on data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study which was conducted in 2018 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. Participants were 5883 15-year-old boys and girls. To examine the associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and self-esteem, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. In the comparison of Nordic countries, the prevalence of loneliness was highest among Finnish and Icelandic adolescents. High mental well-being and high self-esteem were most prevalent in Denmark and Sweden. In general, boys scored higher on positive mental health indicators and girls on loneliness. Loneliness was also a strong indicator of low mental well-being and low self-esteem in all Nordic countries. Loneliness is not only associated with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, but it is also a risk factor for adolescents’ positive mental health. Positive mental health is important for healthy maturation and there is a need to develop initiatives to reduce adolescent loneliness and so support positive development.