The study explores the impact of the covid-19 pandemic among young people and parents through the American Midwest

The Covid-19 pandemic upset life for individuals and communities in the world. Meanwhile, Social isolation. Nevertheless, health mandates, diseases and economic difficulties had an impact on the well-being of families and children, but there were also silver liners to the experiences of people. Therefore, A new study by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines the impacts of the pandemic among young people. However, parents of the American midwest. For example, Their results can help provide information to future health and public health measures.

“We were interested in understanding the lived experiences of different types of people during the COVVI-19 pandemic. In addition, in particular families and children. However, We wanted to come without preconceived concepts. Therefore, judgment, learning people’s concerns and where they find value and joy, “said the main author study explores impact covid-19 pandemic Jacinda K. However, Darotis, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Director of Family Resiliency (FRC Sciences à l’Illinois. In addition, Darotis is also a professor of health innovation at Carle Illinois College.

The co-author Rebecca Smith. However, an associate professor of epidemiology at the college of veterinary medicine and hip faculties in Illinois, supported this perspective: “When large epidemics and pandemics occur, we mainly studied them from the point of view of the transmission of the disease or the financial impact, but the experiences of people are just as important. Nevertheless, We document the least learned that will help in the future. Therefore, »»

Towards the end of the pandemic in 2022. Furthermore, the researchers questioned parents with young people aged 12 to 17 as well as the young people themselves to better understand the lived experiences of each during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Parents study explores impact covid-19 pandemic were invited to describe the changes they observed in their two older children. However, while young people described the changes themselves. Meanwhile, The two groups were questioned about their overall experience during the pandemic. Similarly, Based on the responses of 479 participants, the research team identified nine global themes.

Study explores impact covid-19 pandemic

Major themes

The effect of the pandemic on the structures. However, rhythms of daily life, including public health mandates, has changed many aspects of development, interactions and links with others, feelings of loss and sorrow and financial security. Families also found creative adaptations to face their situation and moved their priorities and contexts.

One of the first themes that emerged concerned maturity and personal development. Some parents said their children developed a little faster than expected. showing greater empathy, independence and the desire to assume responsibilities. Young people also pointed out that they had developed greater study explores impact covid-19 pandemic confidence. self -esteem, although some feel pressure to develop more quickly. “”

Eldreth Funds, co -author, Principal researcher at FRC

Conversely, some parents noted that the pandemic had contributed to development delays for their children, in particular the delays in speech and socialization for young children who could not attend the daycare and interact with similar age peers.

COVID-19 has led to general anxiety. sadness in adults and young people, motivated by fears of illness and death, and still exacerbated by social isolation. This was particularly pronounced for adolescents and mothers of small children. “We have also heard pregnant women during the pandemic. isolation, visits from a distance from health care and the lack of being able to count on the support of family members have really had an impact on their experience and created a deep feeling of study explores impact covid-19 pandemic sadness,” said Eldreth.

People have experienced sorrow and a loss in many ways. “There was sorrow on the death of their loved ones. but also the sorrow of losing social relations and lacking important milestones such as diplomas and birthday parties. People are social beings. and these experiences have had an extremely impact impact, not only in the time but also in the long term, ”noted Diotis.

The pandemic changed dynamics and family priorities. Some parents and young people appreciated the opportunity to spend more time together and cultivate new activities. However. family time could also lead to an increase in stress and conflicts, especially for people who had to manage the responsibilities of work and day care.

Parents. young people have described how the differences in views on pandemic policies and vaccines have caused tense relationships with family members, friends and colleagues. These conflicts have led to a reduction study explores impact covid-19 pandemic in interaction, damaged relationships and lasting feelings of personal loss.

Families and individuals have developed different ways to deal with and regulate emotions. “Some people have taken the time to engage in therapy or to consider pharmacological treatment. They have experienced positive advantages by taking a step back. focusing on the importance of their mental health, “said Eldreth. “Others have found less healthy ways to face, such as drug addiction or excessive use of video games. »»

Online schooling has exerted significant pressure on families. Parents had to assume additional responsibilities. modify family routines to support their children, and they had to adapt to distance learning and new technologies. Online education has also highlighted the existing gaps in digital access and educational equity.

Pandemic mandates have caused various reactions. “Some people have gained comfort in the fact that there were vaccines and mask mandates. Others have estimated that it breaks study explores impact covid-19 pandemic down their personal freedoms. was implemented too quickly, which led to distrust of the government and public health officials, “said Darotis.

Study explores impact covid-19 pandemic

Lessons learned

Although the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic was a mixed bag for many families. the study underlines the need to honor this experiences and to unpack the values and the contexts that inform them, noted the researchers.

“One of the major messages for public health is that the size of a size does not correspond to everyone. We need tailor -made answers to meet everyone’s unique needs. The only way to design effective communication. attenuation plans is to speak to people where they are without judgment, “said Smith.

“For people who are very critical of masks. vaccines, the answer is not to provide more information; It is to rebuild trust and relationships, which is much more difficult to do, but it is more study explores impact covid-19 pandemic effective. It starts by listening to people and respect for their experiences lived as truth. »»

Most respondents reported both thorns. liquids in money, but some people have experienced negative consequences in a disproportionate manner during COVID-19. Those who had structures. resources in place to help them face were better able to thrive, while essential workers or those who were faced with employment loss and financial tensions were struggling. The pandemic has exacerbated preexisting systemic inequalities in access to health care. educational resources, stable employment and other resources, researchers said.

“To move forward. if a new pandemic to occur, we must believe in the resilience of individuals when we also make sure that we have the resources and infrastructures in place to create the safety nets that are necessary for people to flourish,” concluded Diotis.

The document, “Covid was a world pandemic which caused trauma for everyone … There were study explores impact covid-19 pandemic also” silver links ” – qualitative prospects for adults. young people”, is published in the American Journal of Qualitative Research (DOI: 10.29333 / AJQR / 16281). Research was supported by the Institute of Government. Public Affairs (IGPA; System of the University of Illinois, under the subsidy n ° 22910).