The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for societies. Emerging data have indicated that the younger population are the most vulnerable group to the development of mental health problems during this pandemic. The present study aimed to examine the effects of the changes in health behaviors on mental health problems to identify an at-risk group among adolescents and young adults. In the present cross-sectional study, secondary school students (N = 2556) ages 15-21 years participated in Hungary. A self-report questionnaire was developed to measure the changes in health behaviors. Mental health problems were measured by the Beck Hopelessness Scale and the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. A significant proportion of the students showed moderate/severe hopelessness or high loneliness which were more pronounced among adolescent females. An at-risk group was identified among adolescents and young adults. Students who have a lower number of friends, spend less time in front of a screen, and feel lonely often/very often are more likely to have moderate/severe hopelessness with high loneliness. All data were collected online, and students completed the questionnaires voluntarily. Cross-sectional, non-preregistered study. Loneliness and hopelessness were prevalent in the young population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The at-risk group of adolescents characterized by moderate/severe hopelessness with high loneliness highlights the need for follow-up mental health to avoid future poor mental and physical health. It is also recommended to develop effective interventions targeted to gender and age, with the promotion of resiliencies and buffers against vulnerabilities of negative life events.

Purpose: Ageing is a complex phenomenon that should be studied in a multidisciplinary approach examining the biological, psychological, and social determinants in it. There is a lack of understanding of how social factors contribute to a better and healthier way of ageing. Based on previous studies social factors have a more essential role in ageing successfully. These factors have a significant influence on mental and physical health as well. The present review aims to collect the most researched social factors related to successful ageing and to examine the associations revealed between social factors and successful ageing. Materials/Methods: We conducted a systematic review by the guidelines of the PRISMA statements. We examined the studies included by using a qualitative synthesis to identify the most important social factors and their role in successful ageing. Results: In total, 18 original articles published in English between 2015 and 2020 were included in the review. The examined social factors related to successful ageing can be classified into four categories: Social engagement/participation, Social support, Social integration/network, and Socio-demographic/Socioeconomic factors. Social factors are modifiable and protective determinants, they could eliminate the negative effects of psychological factors while modifying the effects of physical determinants of ageing at the same time. Conclusions: Our results have implications for future studies, as successful ageing should be examined in a multidimensional way. They should provide further evidence for the mediating/moderating importance of social factors which also have relevance in practice. Social factors could provide a quality life for years to come.

External and internal sport motivations of young adults: Study aim : To determine and evaluate the spectrum of sport motivation of young adults. Material and methods: A group of 600 subjects, aged 17 - 19 years, participated in the study. An ad hoc questionnaire was applied to assess the 4 motivational factors: competition and success-oriented motivation, external accommodation, physical fitness and health + sportsman-like attitude, and hedonistic. Results: Competition, contest, victory and beating own benchmark were the important factors for male students. The female students preferred external adequacy and others' opinion. They believed in the importance of healthy living, physical strength and sports give them better appearance. The motivational factors had more importance amongst active than inactive youths. Young active students believed that sport performance would guide them to success. Conclusions: It is important to keep healthy lifestyle and sport motivation before teenage years since it is a guidance to preserve the health and adequate personality development.