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Updated: Nov 26, 2025

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
"I Hate This": A Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents' Self-Reported Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Samantha R Scott1, Kenia M Rivera1, Ella Rushing1
1Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado.
Purpose:
The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for adolescents because of disruptions in school and social life. We compiled a diverse group (36.8% nonwhite or multiracial) of high schoolers' open-ended responses to the question: "What are your three biggest challenges right now?" (N = 719 adolescents).
Methods:
Using open and axial coding, we identified N = 1,902 thematic units (M = 2.64, SD = .701) and 14 thematic categories, including mental health, physical health, family, friends, social connection and community, academics, missing important events, socioeconomic issues, routine, COVID rules and adjustment, contraction/exposure to COVID, technology, and future plans.
Results:
Adolescents most commonly reported challenges related to academics (23.7%) but also cited high numbers of challenges in mental (14.8%) and physical (13.2%) health and friend (11.4%) domains.
Conclusions:
Efforts should focus on helping adolescents cultivate academic skills needed during school closures, providing mental/physical health resources and helping them navigate peer relationships-especially given ongoing remote education and social distancing due to the pandemic.
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