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The Impact of Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: The Lived Experience of Adolescents with Obesity and Their Caregivers

Author

Listed:
  • Giada Pietrabissa

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Clarissa Volpi

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Michela Bottacchi

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Vanessa Bertuzzi

    (Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Anna Guerrini Usubini

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Henriette Löffler-Stastka

    (Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Tamara Prevendar

    (Psychology Study Programme, Sigmund Freud University Vienna—Ljubljana Branch, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Giada Rapelli

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Roberto Cattivelli

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Gianluca Castelnuovo

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Enrico Molinari

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Psychology Research Laboratory, 20145, Milan, Italy
    Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy)

  • Alessandro Sartorio

    (Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Experimental Laboratory for Auxo-Endocrinological Research, 28824 Piancavallo (VB), Italy
    Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Division of Auxology, 28824 Piancavallo (VB), Italy)

Abstract

Adolescence is a complex developmental phase, made more complex by obesity and the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature related to the impact of social isolation on obesity self-management in adolescents is scant and inconsistent. This paper describes the phenomenon from the perspectives of a sample of adolescents with obesity enrolled in an inpatients’ multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for weight-loss and their caregivers, and its impact on different life domains. Individual semi-structured ad hoc interviews were conducted with 10 adolescent-caregiver dyads, and narratives were qualitatively investigated using an interpretative phenomenology approach to data. Twenty participants took part in the study. The major themes that emerged from this study fall into five basic categories: (1) COVID-19 as an opportunity to reconsider what makes a good life; (2) Persistence in life; (3) Empowering relationship; (4) Daily routine in quarantine; (5) Lives on hold. Understandings drawn from this study may assist health care professionals in providing holistic support, and guidance to adolescents with weight-related issues and their caregivers who experience social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Giada Pietrabissa & Clarissa Volpi & Michela Bottacchi & Vanessa Bertuzzi & Anna Guerrini Usubini & Henriette Löffler-Stastka & Tamara Prevendar & Giada Rapelli & Roberto Cattivelli & Gianluca Casteln, 2021. "The Impact of Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: The Lived Experience of Adolescents with Obesity and Their Caregivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3026-:d:517442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Crossman, Ashley & Anne Sullivan, Deborah & Benin, Mary, 2006. "The family environment and American adolescents' risk of obesity as young adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(9), pages 2255-2267, November.
    2. Daniel W. Harrington & Jocelyn W. Jarvis & Heather Manson, 2017. "Parents’ Perceived Barriers to Accessing Sports and Recreation Facilities in Ontario, Canada: Exploring the Relationships between Income, Neighbourhood Deprivation, and Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Seung-Man Lee & Wi-Young So & Hyun-Su Youn, 2021. "Importance-Performance Analysis of Health Perception among Korean Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-10, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jung-In Yoo & Joung-Kyue Han & Hyun-Su Youn & Joo-Hyug Jung, 2021. "Comparison of Health Awareness in South Korean Middle School Students According to Type of Online Physical Education Classes during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Seung-Man Lee & Jung-In Yoo & Hyun-Su Youn, 2021. "Changes in Alienation in Physical Education Classes, School Happiness, and Expectations of a Future Healthy Life after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korean Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Anna Guerrini Usubini & Roberto Cattivelli & Vanessa Bertuzzi & Giorgia Varallo & Alessandro Alberto Rossi & Clarissa Volpi & Michela Bottacchi & Sofia Tamini & Alessandra De Col & Giada Pietrabissa &, 2021. "The ACTyourCHANGE in Teens Study Protocol: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention for Adolescents with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Sara Raimondi & Giulio Cammarata & Giovanna Testa & Federica Bellerba & Federica Galli & Patrizia Gnagnarella & Maria Luisa Iannuzzo & Dorotea Ricci & Alessandro Sartorio & Clementina Sasso & Gabriell, 2022. "The Impact of Sport Activity Shut down during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Was It Worthwhile?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Anna Guerrini Usubini & Roberto Cattivelli & Asia Radaelli & Michela Bottacchi & Giulia Landi & Eliana Tossani & Silvana Grandi & Gianluca Castelnuovo & Alessandro Sartorio, 2022. "Preliminary Results from the ACTyourCHANGE in Teens Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents with Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, May.
    6. Vanessa Bertuzzi & Michelle Semonella & Gianluca Castelnuovo & Gerhard Andersson & Giada Pietrabissa, 2022. "Synthesizing Stakeholders Perspectives on Online Psychological Interventions to Improve the Mental Health of the Italian Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.

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