Time trends in adolescent well-being in six European countries: implications for health polices
Supervisor: Dr Alina Cosma, University of St Andrews
Adolescence represents a vital period in individual development. This is of critical importance in light of recent findings of poor mental health amongst young people. This research project aims to identify the time trends in adolescent mental well-being in six European countries and to explore national stakeholder perspectives (policymakers, practitioners) on this topic. The study will use a mixed methods approach: quantitative (data from various years of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey), and qualitative data (interviews with decision-makers). The results will provide an overview of the time trends in adolescent well-being (psychological complaints, life satisfaction, perceived health). It will also connect findings to the national and international health policy landscape. These insights will also be aimed at practitioners.
Dr Alina Cosma is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews’ Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit in Scotland. Her research focuses on adolescent mental health, determinants of health behaviours in adolescence, bullying behaviours and child abuse. She has collaborated on the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey since 2011. Alina received her PhD in 2015 from Babes Bolyai University (Cluj Napoca, Romania) focusing on bullying victimisation and mental health problems in adolescence.
Supervisor: Dr Alina Cosma, University of St Andrews
Adolescence represents a vital period in individual development. This is of critical importance in light of recent findings of poor mental health amongst young people. This research project aims to identify the time trends in adolescent mental well-being in six European countries and to explore national stakeholder perspectives (policymakers, practitioners) on this topic. The study will use a mixed methods approach: quantitative (data from various years of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey), and qualitative data (interviews with decision-makers). The results will provide an overview of the time trends in adolescent well-being (psychological complaints, life satisfaction, perceived health). It will also connect findings to the national and international health policy landscape. These insights will also be aimed at practitioners.
Dr Alina Cosma is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews’ Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit in Scotland. Her research focuses on adolescent mental health, determinants of health behaviours in adolescence, bullying behaviours and child abuse. She has collaborated on the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey since 2011. Alina received her PhD in 2015 from Babes Bolyai University (Cluj Napoca, Romania) focusing on bullying victimisation and mental health problems in adolescence.