An Overview of Generation Z's Mental Health
Abstract
The mental health of Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, has become a central concern in modern psychology. This age group is facing a multitude of risk factors that impact their psychological well-being. This article provides an overview of the primary mental health disorders affecting today's youth, including anxiety, depression, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The exploration of these conditions is grounded in an understanding of the unique external and internal pressures faced by Generation Z, such as economic uncertainty, rapid social changes, and educational challenges. The objective of this paper is to elucidate how these three mental health disorders impact both daily functioning and the personal and professional development of young people, as well as to identify effective resources and support strategies to reduce symptomatology and promote resilience. Furthermore, the importance of mental health education and early intervention is highlighted, as these play a crucial role in preventing the chronicity of these conditions and supporting a generation capable of reaching its full potential.
References
*** (2019). Generation Z Looks a Lot Like Millennials on Key Social and Political Issues, but Stands
Out in Voting Behavior. Pew Research Center.
*** (2020). How Generation Z is Changing the Face of Mental Health Care. National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI).
*** (2021). The Impact of COVID-19 on Gen Z’s Mental Health: A Closer Look at Mental Health
Needs and Challenges. WHO Regional Office for Europe. Retrieved from
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-determinants/gender/news/news/2021/3/covid-19-
and-mental-health-of-generation-z.
Hilt, L. M. (2019). Depression in Girls and Women Across the Lifespan. Academic Press.
Klement, K. & Leung, L. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of adolescents: A
systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(2), 221-232.
Kottler, J. & Montgomery, M. J. (2019). Generation Z: A Century in the Making. Routledge.
Lenhart, A.; Anderson, M. & Perrin, A. (2018). Teens, social media & technology use 2018. Pew
Research Center.
Przybylski, A. K. & Weinstein, N. (2013). The association between adolescent use of social media and
psychological well-being. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(6), 2428-2436.
Riehm, K. E.; Holingue, C.; Smail, E. J.; Kapteyn, A.; Bennett, D.; Thrul, J. & Kalb, L. G. (2021). The
association of social media use with psychological distress among young adults during the COVID-19
pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders, 277, 45-51.
Twenge, J. M. & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Has the smartphone destroyed a generation? The Atlantic,
(5), 44-61.
Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious,
More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. New York: Atria Books.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Brigitte Popa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The author fully assumes the content originality and the holograph signature makes him responsible in case of trial.