In phase 6, we followed adolescents and their parents over a one-year period. In October 2021, participants were first given the baseline questionnaire. This was followed by shorter follow-up questionnaires every 3 months. In total, participants were asked to complete five questionnaires in phase 6.
Both adolescents and parents could complete the questionnaires in the ABCD app or online.
Phase 6 focused mainly on mapping the mental health of the adolescents. Why does one adolescent feel better in their ‘own skin’ than another? In this phase, we collaborated with the Urban Mental Health centrum. This centre investigates whether there is a difference in mental health between people living in a big city like Amsterdam and those living in a village or smaller town.
Through repeated measurements, we are able to identify any changes in (mental) health and investigate possible causes.
Adolescents’ questionnaires
Topics covered in the questionnaire were mental health, living environment, school, social life (friends), sleep, substance and media use, and exercise.
Parent questionnaires
Both father and mother were asked to complete the questionnaires. Since adolescents are well able to answer questions about their own lives by the age of 17, parents were mainly asked about their own mental health, work, substance and media use, and opinion on family functioning and parenting practices.
More phases
Background information ABCD study
More about the ABCD study
Now in the ABCD study