"I couldn't see my friends; the internet was bad, and I hardly went out" - insights into children's and adolescents' experiences of COVID-19 in Germany

TY - JOUR

T1 - "I couldn't see my friends; the internet was bad, and I hardly went out" - insights into children's and adolescents' experiences of COVID-19 in Germany

AU - Berner-Rodoreda, Astrid

AU - Baum, Nina

AU - Zangerl, Kathrin

AU - Wachinger, Jonas

AU - Hoegl, Henriette

AU - Li, Lydia Yao

AU - Bärnighausen, Till

PY - 2023/12

Y1 - 2023/12

N2 - PURPOSE: We explored children's experiences of COVID-19 in terms of proximity and distance to significant others.METHODS: Our qualitative study with children in Germany (6-15 years of age) explored their views and experiences of COVID-19 times via drawings and face-to-face semi-structured interviews (n = 13). We analysed data thematically and used the socio-ecological model as the theoretical underpinning. Case studies contextualized how children dealt with the COVID-19 precautions.RESULTS: Salient motives in children's drawings were school scenarios showing distance-keeping and mask-wearing as an expression of interpersonal distance; in the home-schooling context, loneliness was highlighted. Drawings also illustrated the impact of COVID-19 in terms of separation, illness and death. A dynamic perception of proximity and distance emerged from drawings and interviews. COVID-19 barred children from spending "real" time together with close friends. Bridging physical distance virtually was easier for adolescents than for children.CONCLUSION: To bolster children's mental and social resilience in future epidemics, participants' plea for maintaining social and physical interactions with significant others and for keeping schools open should be heeded by policy-makers. Our study also highlights the benefits of conducting direct research with children and using non-verbal methods of data collection.

AB - PURPOSE: We explored children's experiences of COVID-19 in terms of proximity and distance to significant others.METHODS: Our qualitative study with children in Germany (6-15 years of age) explored their views and experiences of COVID-19 times via drawings and face-to-face semi-structured interviews (n = 13). We analysed data thematically and used the socio-ecological model as the theoretical underpinning. Case studies contextualized how children dealt with the COVID-19 precautions.RESULTS: Salient motives in children's drawings were school scenarios showing distance-keeping and mask-wearing as an expression of interpersonal distance; in the home-schooling context, loneliness was highlighted. Drawings also illustrated the impact of COVID-19 in terms of separation, illness and death. A dynamic perception of proximity and distance emerged from drawings and interviews. COVID-19 barred children from spending "real" time together with close friends. Bridging physical distance virtually was easier for adolescents than for children.CONCLUSION: To bolster children's mental and social resilience in future epidemics, participants' plea for maintaining social and physical interactions with significant others and for keeping schools open should be heeded by policy-makers. Our study also highlights the benefits of conducting direct research with children and using non-verbal methods of data collection.

KW - Humans

KW - Child

KW - Adolescent

KW - Friends

KW - COVID-19

KW - Schools

KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Internet

U2 - 10.1080/17482631.2023.2271271

DO - 10.1080/17482631.2023.2271271

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 37930944

VL - 18

SP - 2271271

JO - INT J QUAL STUD HEAL

JF - INT J QUAL STUD HEAL

SN - 1748-2623

IS - 1

ER -