Demkowicz, Ola, Ashworth, Emma, O’Neill, Alisha, Hanley, Terry and Pert, Kirsty (2022) “Will My Young Adult Years be Spent Socially Distancing?”: A Qualitative Exploration of Adolescents’ Experiences During the COVID-19 UK Lockdown. Journal of Adolescent Research. ISSN 0743-5584

Text Will My Young Adult Years be Spent Socially Distancing A Qualitative Exploration of Adolescents’ Experiences During the COVID-19 UK Lockdown - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (373kB)

Abstract

For older adolescents, the COVID-19 pandemic and UK restrictions arrived during a critical period in the transition to adulthood. Early research exploring impact of the pandemic paints a picture of worsened adolescent wellbeing and mental health. We explore the subjective experiences of 16- to 19-year-olds during the first UK lockdown, with an emphasis on wellbeing and coping, to complement quantitative evidence and inform strategies and provision for support. In May 2020, we invited UK-based 16- to 19-year-olds to share written accounts of their experiences of the initial UK lockdown for The TELL Study. A total of 109 participants engaged, submitting anonymous written accounts via an online survey portal. We used inductive reflexive thematic analysis to develop rich experiential themes. We constructed seven main themes: heightened emotionality; feelings of loss, change, and uncertainty; recognizing the value of self-care; efforts to think positively; opportunities for relief, growth, and development; the importance of togetherness; and frustration with government and media. Findings highlight the multifaceted nature of adolescents’ lockdown experiences, and offer insight into emotional impact and new concerns alongside the value placed on self-care and staying connected. We offer directions for supporting adolescents as pandemic consequences continue.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1701 Psychology; 1702 Cognitive Sciences; Developmental & Child Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2022 08:50
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2022 10:00
DOI or ID number:	10.1177/07435584221097132
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/17355

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