The recently published national report from HBSC Finland provides a detailed view of the health and well-being of Finnish 5th, 7th, and 9th graders in 2022. It reveals that while a majority of schoolchildren feel their health and mental well-being are good, notable concerns such as psychosomatic symptoms, loneliness, problematic social media use, and safety at school persist. Particularly alarming are the disparities in experiences between boys and girls.
Decreased satisfaction and safety among girls
Girls reported lower life satisfaction and an increased feeling of burden from schoolwork, with a notable decrease in school enjoyment since 2014. In contrast, boys have shown stable levels of school enjoyment and improved perceptions of health and life satisfaction since 2018.
Concerns around social media use
Problematic social media use is a growing concern, affecting approximately one in ten students. The risk of problem use is higher among girls, highlighting the need for focused interventions.
Worrying health habits
Many schoolchildren are not adhering to healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep guidelines. Substance use among 9th graders, especially boys, has seen an increase since 2018, raising concerns about their long-term health.
The role of health literacy
Health literacy is crucial for positive health habits and overall well-being. While most Finnish youth demonstrate good health literacy, attention needs to be given to those with lower levels.
HBSC Finland’s contribution to global understanding
Conducted in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe, HBSC Finland is an integral part of the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. It provides vital data that is both nationally significant and internationally comparable.
Report details: For more information, please see the report: “Koululaisten terveys ja muuttuvat haasteet 2022 – WHO-Koululaistutkimus 40 vuotta” [Schoolchildren’s health and changing challenges 2022 – HBSC Finland 40 years], edited by Kristiina Ojala & Markus Kulmala, JYU Reports 25, University of Jyväskylä, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17011/jyureports/2023/25.
Read the report (English)