https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9194-3244
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ABSTRACT
Purpose
To illuminate the meaning of social relationships and health concerns as experienced by adolescents and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted. Data reported from 172 adolescents and young people aged 12–24 years in five countries; Chile, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States collected from May 2020 to June 2021 were analysed via thematic analysis.
Results
Adolescents and young peoples’ experiences of social relationships and health concerns were described in seven themes: Family proximity, conflicts and frustration; difficulties and challenges related to limited living space; peer relations and maintaining friendship in times of social distancing; the importance of school as a place for interaction; vulnerability, emotional distress and uncertainty about the future; health concerns and sense of caring for others; and worries and concerns related to financial hardship. These reports show that the changes to everyday life that were introduced by public responses to the pandemic generated feelings of loneliness, vulnerability, and emotional distress, as well as increased sense of togetherness with family.
Conclusions
The everyday lives of adolescents and young people were restricted and affected more by the consequences of the pandemic than by the COVID-19 virus. These experiences had various impacts on well-being and mental health, where some individuals felt more exposed and vulnerable to emotional distress and loneliness than others. Family and peer relationships could be protective and support a sense of togetherness and belonging. Hence, social relationships are important to provide emotional support. Support for adolescents and young people should be tailored accordingly around social and emotional concerns, to encourage health and well-being.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the participants who contributed their lived experiences to this study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Annelie J Sundler
Annelie J Sundler is a Professor in Caring Science at University of Borås, Sweden. Her areas of research include nursing, patient experiences and individual´s exposure in relation to health problems and illnesses. She has conducted research on child and school health services, child abuse, mental health and well-being of children and adults, person centred-care and healthcare communication.
Disa Bergnehr
Disa Bergnehr is a Professor of Education at Linneaus University, Sweden. Her research focuses on families in contemporary Sweden, and she has conducted studies on representations of single parents, resettlement strategies of migrant parents and youth, schooling and parenting in disadvantaged areas, home–school relations, wellbeing, parent support, and children’s moral and emotional socialization in preschool.
Sadiyya Haffejee
Sadiyya Haffejee is a practising psychologist and a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She works at the interface of research, practice and policy. Her focus areas are children and youth with adverse childhood experiences, family strengthening, mental health and resilience.
Humera Iqbal
Humera Iqbal is an Associate Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, University College London. Her research centres on the identity, historical and lived experiences of migrant and minority families and young people. This includes citizenship experiences and statelessness, social representations, and social activism.
Marjorie Faulstich Orellana
Marjorie Faulstich Orellana is a Professor of Education at the University of California, Los Angeles, US. Her work focuses on the experiences of the children of immigrants in households and informal learning environments, especially as language and culture brokers for their families.
Ana Vergara Del Solar
Ana Vergara del Solar is an Associate Professor at the School of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Santiago, Chile. Ana does research in childhood studies, in relation to children’s discourses, daily and family life, media and social policy.
Sophia L. Angeles
Sophia L. Ángeles is an Assistant Professor of Education in the Department of Curriclulum and Instruction in the College of Education at Penn State University. Her current research examines the experiences of recently arrived immigrant youth in high school and their access to college and career readiness opportunities.
Charlotte Faircloth
Charlotte Faircloth is an Associate Professor at the Social Research Institute, University College London, UK, studying parenting and reproduction. She has conducted cross-cultural research into parenting culture, with a focus on infant feeding, couple relationships, gender and equality.
Lu Liu
Lu Liu is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles, US. Her research focuses on language policy and planning, language socialization, and the ethnographic study of education, with a geographical focus on the US and China.
Anita Mwanda
Anita Mwanda is a Research Assistant currently completing her Masters at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, which is focused on the sexual and reproductive health rights of homeless women and is assisting with the COVID Family Household study.
Mauricio Sepúlveda Galeas
Mauricio Sepúlveda Galeas is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Chile. Mauricio does research in governmentality and cultural studies related to drug consumption, youth and childhood.
Thandi Simelane
Thandi Simelane is a research assistant currently pursuing a Masters in Sociology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Her research focus on university students’ experiences of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Katherine Twamley
Katherine Twamley is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the Social Research Institute, University College London, UK. Her research focuses on gender, love and intimacy, and family, with a geographical focus on the UK and India.
Laura Darcy
Laura Darcy is a Paediatric nurse, Master of Public Health and Associate Professor in Caring Science at the University of Borås, Sweden. Her research field includes children’s rights in health care and the everyday life of young children living with illness.