Addressing adolescent social and emotional concerns: Insights from loneliness, burnout, and preferred conversation topics in Asian and UK contexts post-pandemic

This study investigated relationships between social and emotional concerns, loneliness, and school burnout, as these factors are associated with adaptive functioning during adolescence residence in Asia (i.e., China, Hong Kong) and the UK. Analysis of data from 2849 participants illuminated compelling insights. The participants reported a high level of loneliness, notably among girls in the UK. The research generated 11 preferred conversation topics (i.e., future and aspirations, anything, learning, nothing, mental health, personal interests, health, relationships, psychosocial issues, social issues, feelings). Among them, future and aspirations lead the way, aligning with developmental needs. A desire for mental health discussions coexisted with heightened loneliness and burnout among participants who pursued such conversations. The low achievers tended to talk about mental health issues or have nothing to say. High achievers were drawn to social issues, emphasizing their distinct socio-emotional needs. Forging a connection between personal interests and mitigated school burnout underscores the potential for individual passions to harmonize with educational experience. These findings underscore the exigency for bespoke interventions addressing the evolving emotional terrain of adolescents, especially in the pandemic's aftermath. The study's implications underscore the importance of empathetic listening and proactive engagement between adolescents and supportive adults. This research enriches the comprehension of pandemic-induced adolescent experiences and suggests avenues for future investigations into long-term emotional well-being.