Civita Report, young people do not need a hundred thousand activities. Here is what matters for their well-being

They are called zoomers, because they have grown up in a time where everything moves at high speed. From cultural fruition and production to sport, from work to training, up to political commitment and active citizenship, the 16th Civita Report presented yesterday in Rome goes deep into the link between emotional wellbeing and different areas of commitment for those young people who, having passed adolescence, are entering society. They do not ask for 'more things to do', but for real experiences, meaningful relationships and credible adults. This is why 'investing in their well-being means building ecosystems that focus on quality, trust and co-design'.

The survey, carried out in cooperation with SWG, shifted the focus from the mere detection of young people's actions to the analysis of how they experience them. All those interviewed under 30 had enjoyed some cultural proposal in the last month, with personal consumption of audiovisual content (films, music, TV series, etc.) ranking as prevalent (exceeding 9 out of 10) compared to reading (6 out of 10) and group cultural activities (cinema, museums, exhibitions, concerts, theatre, which obtain fruition indexes between 37% and 55%). However, almost 40% of participants experience these practices with detachment and little enthusiasm, which highlights how the beneficial effect of culture on well-being only manifests itself if it is emotionally captivating, profound and participatory. The direct link between consumption and perceived happiness (OHQ index) is only found, in practice, in relation to audiovisual products. This leads to a strategic consideration for cultural actors: in order to amplify the positive emotional impact of culture on young people, it is not sufficient to offer a rich and varied catalogue, but it is indispensable to create ways of mediating fruition that integrate a strong personal capacity-building (empowerment) component.

The working condition turns out to be another crucial element in the existence of young people: those who are employed attach great importance to their employment, but often declare alow level of satisfaction, probably due to precariousness, the feeling of not being up to it or uninspiring tasks. Therefore, an intergenerational agreement that gives dignity and perspectives to youth work is considered essential in the Report. "It is clear from the Report that young people need concrete experiences, meaningful relationships and authentic dialogue with adults in order to feel listened to, involved and valued," explained the Secretary General of the Civita Association Simonetta Giordani. "Promoting their emotional wellbeing means accompanying them in their active and conscious participation in social life, offering them support, guidance and spaces where they can make a contribution in this regard". Education, although perceived as a primary value, can also trigger stress. University, nevertheless, constitutes an area with a relatively high level of well-being, confirming that having a recognised and coherent course of study contributes positively to individual equilibrium.

The link between young people and sporting activity is quite varied. Sport, judged to be of little importance by only 2 out of 10 young people, only produces beneficial effects if practised assiduously and with emotional participation. The sphere of active participation in community life, political engagement, voluntary work or associationism is the preserve of a minority. Similar to what has been observed for artistic activities, those who engage more in social engagement also tend to report slightly lower than average levels of well-being. This aspect prompts one to reflect on the sense of frustration and powerlessness that may affect young people sensitive to collective issues and committed to change, who may feel the weight of a heavy emotional burden or unfulfilled expectations regarding the effectiveness of their initiatives.

A common thread emerges in all the areas examined: well-being is not defined solely by the actions performed, but by how the experiences are lived. A significant proportion of young people approach the proposed activities passively ("they do not arouse interest") or with discomfort ("an obligation done unwillingly"); feeling free, motivated and actively involved in the activities proves crucial for personal satisfaction. The highest peaks of gratification and stimulation occur in cultural consumption and sporting activities. At the same time, interpersonal support acts as a determining element: the quality of family relationships, mutual trust, the presence of educational figures, influential adults or mentors able to offer guidance and listening, are fundamental in transforming youth experiences into genuine opportunities for growth. Within a youth population that is often disillusioned, lonely and fragmented, those who benefit from strong family ties and a good social network register significantly higher OHQ scores. "Young people live in a time that runs too fast, that promises everything but leaves no room to breathe. They have grown up in a society that pushes them to be perfect, but rarely invites them to listen to themselves. They chase imposed ideals, models of success that erase the right to imperfection,' points out psychiatrist Emanuele Caroppo who signed the preface to the Report. "Well-being, for them, is not an aesthetic goal but a profound need for meaning. One does not need to be taught to resist, but to recognise oneself, to resonate with what one really is'.