METHODS: This qualitative study used a phenomenological research design and was conducted from January to December 2022, involving 47 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old from 37 PPRs in the Klang Valley. Participants were recruited using the purposive sampling method as this study purposely selected adolescents with moderate, moderately severe, and severe for PHQ-9 and/or moderate and severe for GAD-7 based on the screening. Participants who agreed to participate were recruited (with consent from parents/guardians) and interviews were set at the participants' convenience. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide to conduct the in-depth interviews (IDI). After each IDI session, the recorded interviews were transcribed. Data from the voice recorder were stored on a password-protected computer, and participants' names were replaced with specific codes to ensure confidentiality. The researchers coded all transcripts independently. The transcripts were analysed inductively using a thematic approach to identify recurring themes.

RESULTS: From the 37 PPRs, 194 adolescents were identified as having psychological distress based on the screening. Among them, 47 agreed to participate in the IDIs, which revealed that these adolescents utilized mainly maladaptive coping strategies, such as avoidance (cognitive distancing, externalization, and internalization), self-harm, vaping, and smoking to deal with stressors related to COVID-19. As for hindrances to help-seeking, three themes were identified such as lack of trust, perceived ineffectiveness of support, and personality.