The well-being and living conditions of young people in Hafnarfjörður 2022
Every year, students in Years 8 to 10 in Hafnarfjörður's state schools take part in a major national survey by Rannsóknir og greining on the habits and well-being of young people. The aim is to examine as many social aspects of young people's lives as possible and to provide findings that give a clear picture of the lifestyle, well-being, attitudes and substance use of young people in each municipality. Young people's substance use in Iceland is among the lowest in the Western world. Challenges related to new products and the current trend are today mainly focused on the consumption of energy drinks and nicotine pouches, general well-being and insufficient sleep. This year's survey was conducted in February/March.
The results provide a specific picture of lifestyle, well-being and attitude.
Every year, students in Years 8 to 10 in Hafnarfjörður's state schools take part in a major national survey by Rannsóknir og greining on the habits and well-being of young people. The aim is to examine as many social aspects of young people's lives as possible and to provide findings that give a clear picture of the lifestyle, well-being, attitudes and substance use of young people in each municipality. Young people's substance use in Iceland is among the lowest in the Western world. Challenges related to new products and the current trend are today mainly focused on the consumption of energy drinks and nicotine pouches, general well-being and insufficient sleep. This year's survey was conducted in February/March.
Report with findings for Hafnarfjörður
Let's familiarise ourselves with the findings, recognise the challenges and take an active part.
Parents, guardians and all those who work with children and young people are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the results for Hafnarfjörður. On the whole, the results are quite good, but a certain trend is taking place that requires a response and close monitoring. Drug and alcohol use remains low, but the consumption of energy drinks and nicotine pouches has increased, and sleep has decreased over the past year. Furthermore, young people in Hafnarfjörður now rate their mental well-being as poorer compared to previous years. The findings show that protective factors such as time spent with parents and social activities reduce risk-taking behaviour and increase well-being.
Some examples of protective factors that have a positive effect on children's well-being:
- Parental togetherness and
children's - Get enough sleep
- Parents show concern
and set clear boundaries - Parents know friends
their children and the parents of their friends - Children's participation in
organised leisure activities - Respect outdoor recreation time
and the Child Protection Act - A clear stance against consumption
alcohol, drugs, tobacco, nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes - Cooperation, trust and
participation in parent-teacher activities, e.g. parent-teacher councils and
parents' stroll
It is important that everyone is rowing in the same direction, understands the challenges and takes part in dialogue and prevention so that the best and greatest possible results are achieved.
Report with findings for Hafnarfjörður
Research an important contribution to effective preventative work
Preventive work among young people has been very active in Iceland in recent years, and the so-called „Icelandic Prevention Model“ is now used as a model for preventive work around the world. Rannsóknir og greining has striven to maximise the use of the findings by analysing local results for municipalities, districts, schools and other stakeholders each year. The aim is to bring the findings to those who work with young people in Iceland and strive to improve their lives and environment. A strong emphasis is placed on mapping and assessing the factors that matter in young people's lives at any given time, and monitoring changes in society. Each individual primary school, for example, receives results for its own school, which are used for re-evaluation, changes in focus, and the planning of school and leisure activities.