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Adolescent Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and School Closures and Implications for Mental Health, Peer Relationships and Learning: A Qualitative Study in South-West England

Author

Listed:
  • Emily Widnall

    (Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK)

  • Emma A. Adams

    (Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4ES, UK)

  • Ruth Plackett

    (Division of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK)

  • Lizzy Winstone

    (Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK)

  • Claire M. A. Haworth

    (School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TU, UK)

  • Becky Mars

    (Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK)

  • Judi Kidger

    (Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK)

Abstract

The COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ and multiple school closures disrupted the daily lives and routines of the entire UK population. However, adolescents were likely particularly impacted by such measures due to this time being key for social and educational development. This qualitative study explored young people’s experiences of lockdowns and school closures. Fifteen secondary schools within south-west England were initially contacted and three schools participated in recruitment efforts. From December 2020 to March 2021, 25 students aged 14–15 participated in a combination of individual interviews ( n = 5) and focus groups ( n = 3). Findings revealed diverse experiences of the pandemic and highlighted the complexity of experiences according to individual student contexts. Three main themes were identified: (1) Learning environments; (2) Connection to peers; (3) Transition, adaptation and coping. These findings highlight the value young people place on face-to-face social contact with close friends, and the sense of structure provided by school, with implications for future home-based learning. Further in-depth qualitative research is needed to continue to understand the varied experiences during the course of the pandemic, particularly longer-term impacts on mental health and learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Widnall & Emma A. Adams & Ruth Plackett & Lizzy Winstone & Claire M. A. Haworth & Becky Mars & Judi Kidger, 2022. "Adolescent Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and School Closures and Implications for Mental Health, Peer Relationships and Learning: A Qualitative Study in South-West England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7163-:d:836285
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katriona O’Sullivan & Serena Clark & Amy McGrane & Nicole Rock & Lydia Burke & Neasa Boyle & Natasha Joksimovic & Kevin Marshall, 2021. "A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Per Engzell & Arun Frey & Mark D. Verhagen, 2021. "Learning loss due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 118(17), pages 2022376118-, April.
    3. Emily Widnall & Lizzy Winstone & Ruth Plackett & Emma A. Adams & Claire M. A. Haworth & Becky Mars & Judi Kidger, 2022. "Impact of School and Peer Connectedness on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Panel Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aneta Lew-Koralewicz, 2022. "Psychosocial Functioning and the Educational Experiences of Students with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Lisa B. Thorell & Anna-Karin Klint Carlander & Youstina Demetry & Lisa Marainen & Sarah Nilsson & Charlotte Skoglund, 2024. "Parental Experiences of Distance Learning in Families with and without an Adolescent with ADHD/ASD: A Large Qualitative Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Priska S. Schneider & Michelle Pantis & Christine Preiser & Daniela Hagmann & Gottfried M. Barth & Tobias J. Renner & Katharina Allgaier, 2024. "SARS-CoV-2 and Adolescent Psychiatric Emergencies at the Tübingen University Hospital: Analyzing Trends, Diagnoses, and Contributing Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-27, February.

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