Young adults see school or higher education as the biggest source of stress. In addition, many young adults are concerned about money and societal developments. They also describe substance use as completely normalised in Dutch society. However, young adults do have a solid concept of what kind of help they need. These findings are from qualitative research by EMMA, an independent bureau for research, advice and participation. The study was commissioned by GGD GHOR Nederland, the national umbrella organisation of the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) and the Regional Medical Assistance Organisations (GHOR), on behalf of the GGDs and RIVM.
The results and recommendations are outlined in a factsheet(PDF) (in Dutch) and a report(PDF) (in Dutch). The news item (in Dutch) can be read in full on the GGD GHOR Nederland website.
Aim of the study
The study aimed to provide more depth and clarity on the findings from the Public Health Monitor Young Adults 2024. A total of 58 young adults took part in this qualitative study, which consisted of 5 group discussions and 14 individual interviews. An advisory panel of young adults gave input on the method and reflected on the outcomes at various points in time during the study.
About the Public Health Monitor Young Adults
The Public Health Monitor Young Adults 2024 is a survey-based study on health, well-being and lifestyle among young adults aged 16 to 25 years in the Netherlands, conducted by the GGDs and RIVM and supported by GGD GHOR Nederland. The questionnaire was completed by over 135,000 young adults in the first half of 2025. The Public Health Monitor Young Adults 2024, including this in-depth qualitative research, is part of the Health Research for COVID-19, a research programme of the Network for Health Research in Disasters (GOR Network). It was commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw).