The kids are alright: adolescents’ experiences during COVID-19 disruption
Information and Learning Sciences
ISSN: 2398-5348
Article publication date: 17 May 2022
Issue publication date: 24 October 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to understand adolescents’ experiences, negative feelings and coping mechanisms associated with the major disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to develop a baseline for understanding adolescents and their environment to assist future developments of technological and other solutions to mitigate adolescents’ loneliness, improve their wellbeing and strengthen their resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
The data about adolescents’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic was collected through virtual interviews conducted via Zoom. A total of 39 adolescents (aged 12 through 18 years) primarily from the North East of the USA participated in the study. The transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings
This study found evidence of negative disruptions to adolescents’ social, learning and emotional routines. This study also found that in dealing with the effects of COVID-19 disruption, most of the participants exhibited five key attributes of individual resilience, including social competence, problem-solving, critical consciousness, autonomy and a sense of purpose. External factors supporting resilience were also mentioned, including technology resources, family, school and broader community.
Originality/value
This study relied on first-hand adolescents’ reports of their experiences, feelings and coping strategies during the pandemic. This study applied a resilience framework to interpret the findings and translate them into recommendations for further development of support systems for adolescents.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to their participants for sharing their stories with them. The authors would also like to thank anonymous reviewers for their valuable feedback in finalizing this article and to acknowledge the work of all the student researchers who participated in this project: Daniel Anger, Craig Nielsen, Kelli Hayes, Karin Roslund, Nina Keller and Mary Dickson. The study was partially supported by the Faculty Innovation Grant provided by the Pratt Institute School of Information.
Citation
Lopatovska, I., Garg, R., Turpin, O., Yoon, J.H., Vroom, L. and Brown, D. (2022), "The kids are alright: adolescents’ experiences during COVID-19 disruption", Information and Learning Sciences, Vol. 123 No. 9/10, pp. 529-554. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-11-2021-0096
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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