‘You’re just there, alone in your room with your thoughts’: a qualitative study about the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among young people living in the UK

May combine two claims.

The qualitative analysis generated four themes: concerns about disruption to education, missing social contact during lockdown, changes to social relationships, and improved well-being during lockdown.

“Authors generated four themes during the qualitative analysis: (a) concerns about disruption to education, (b) missing social contact during lockdown, (c) changes to social relationships and (d) improved well-being during lockdown.”

May combine two claims.

Some participants, particularly adolescents, described socialising less during the lockdown and reported feelings of loneliness or social withdrawal.

“some, particularly adolescents, described socialising less during the lockdown and reported feelings of loneliness or social withdrawal.”

May combine two claims.

Participants described feeling lonely throughout different stages of the pandemic, as though the world felt smaller from being at home during the lockdown without any social contact.

“Participants described feeling lonely throughout different stages of the pandemic, as though the world felt smaller from being at home during the lockdown without any social contact.”

May combine two claims.

Participants living with family members said that they experienced difficulties getting along with parents and siblings during lockdown, particularly when living together in small homes or when everyone was working from home.

“Participants living with family members said that they experienced difficulties getting along with parents and siblings during lockdown, particularly when living together in small homes or when everyone was working from home.”

May combine two claims.

The social distancing restrictions were especially challenging for participants who had prior mental health concerns, many of whom reported that their well-being had declined while they were socially isolating.

“The social distancing restrictions were especially challenging for participants who had prior mental health concerns, many of whom reported that their well-being had declined while they were socially isolating.”

May combine two claims.

The study found that while some participants felt isolated and lonely, they were also apprehensive about social distancing restrictions easing and life returning to 'normal'.

“We found that paradoxically, while some participants felt isolated and lonely, they were also apprehensive about social distancing restrictions easing and life returning to ‘normal’.”

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Some young people felt paradoxically isolated but also hesitant about reintegrating with others as the lockdown restrictions eased.

“Our findings highlight how some felt paradoxically isolated but also hesitant about reintegrating with others as the lockdown restrictions eased.”

May combine two claims.

When announcements were made that examinations would be cancelled, many participants felt upset or disappointed and some reported feeling 'robbed' of the chance to complete their education as planned.

“When announcements were made that examinations would be cancelled, many said that they felt upset or disappointed and some reported feeling 'robbed' of the chance to complete their education as planned.”

May combine two claims.

For some participants, the pandemic and associated restrictions provided a platform for new relationships to develop and existing relationships to strengthen.

“For some, the pandemic and associated restrictions provided a platform for new relationships to develop and existing relationships to strengthen”

May combine two claims.

Some participants used dating apps, chatting through gaming platforms and sharing COVID-related 'memes' as a way to cope with difficult things and enhance their sense of social connectedness with others.

“Some said they were using dating apps, chatting through gaming platforms and sharing COVID-related ‘memes’ as a way ‘to cope with difficult things’ and enhance their sense of social connectedness with others.”

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Young people described mental health consequences associated with education closures and lockdown measures, including loneliness, frustration, a sense of loss about cancelled plans and assessments, and uncertainty about socialising in the future.

“Young people described mental health consequences associated with education closures and lockdown measures, including loneliness, frustration, a sense of loss about cancelled plans and assessments, and uncertainty about socialising in the future.”

May combine two claims.

Having more choice about how to spend free time was described by participants as relaxing and removed previous sources of stress.

“Having more choice about how to spend free time was described by participants as relaxing and removed previous sources of stress.”

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The study found evidence of a potentially positive change during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health self-management, and having more open conversations about mental health compared with prepandemic times.

“Despite the challenges, we found evidence of a potentially positive change during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health self-management, and having more open conversations about mental health compared with prepandemic times.”

May combine two claims.

Several young people felt they did not demonstrate their full potential when their examinations were cancelled and did not want to be known as the generation who were given a 'free pass'.

“Several young people felt they did not demonstrate their full potential when their examinations were cancelled and did not want to be known as the generation who were given a ‘free pass’.”

May combine two claims.

Despite relationship tensions, participants also described feeling closer with their family members throughout the pandemic and specifically during lockdown periods spent together.

“Despite relationship tensions, participants also described feeling closer with their family members throughout the pandemic and specifically during lockdown periods spent together.”

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Participants in the study frequently cited mental health consequences due to social isolation and loneliness, which some used gaming platforms, social media and online dating apps to help address.

“Participants in our study frequently cited mental health consequences due to social isolation and loneliness, which some used gaming platforms, social media and online dating apps to help address.”

May combine two claims.

Some participants reported feeling safer during lockdown away from other people and less exposed to the perceived risk of catching COVID-19.

“some participants reported feeling safer during lockdown away from other people and less exposed to the perceived risk of catching COVID-19.”

May combine two claims.

For some participants, well-being was enhanced by support from others and an increased public awareness of mental health self-management during lockdown.

“For some, their well-being was enhanced by support from others and an increased public awareness of mental health self-management during lockdown.”

May combine two claims.

Some participants reflected on stark changes in their lives during the pandemic compared with prepandemic and said they felt differently about how they wanted their life to be when social distancing restrictions eased.

“Some participants reflected on the stark changes in their lives during the pandemic compared with prepandemic and said they felt differently about how they wanted their life to be when social distancing restrictions eased.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Young people identifying as Black and Black British have been most affected in the UK compared with other ethnic groups.

“young people identifying as Black and Black British have been most affected in the UK compared with other ethnic groups.”

• cites [12] Dewa, 2021, CCopeY: a mixed-methods Coproduced study on the mental health status and coping strategies of young people during COVID-19 UK Lockdown, J Adolesc Health sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Findings suggest that young people may have felt more comfortable when talking about their mental health compared with prepandemic, in part facilitated by initiatives through schools, universities and employers.

“Findings suggest that young people may have felt more comfortable when talking about their mental health compared with prepandemic, in part facilitated by initiatives through schools, universities and employers.”

May combine two claims.

Around 60% of students living in affluent areas had access to online learning during the pandemic, compared with 23% of students living in more deprived areas.

“Around 60% of students living in affluent areas had access to online learning during the pandemic, compared with 23% of students living in more deprived areas.33”

• cites [33] Cullinane C , Montacute R . COVID-19 and Social Mobility Impact Brief #1: School Closures [Internet], 2020. Available: https://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/School-Shutdown-Covid-19.pdfNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The list of themes and subthemes was developed iteratively through weekly internal meetings with the CSS research team to gain formative feedback on the comprehensibility of codes and preliminary findings, and findings were revised and finalised based on this feedback.

“The list of themes and subthemes were developed iteratively: ARM presented themes and subthemes during weekly internal meetings with the CSS research team, in order to gain formative feedback on the comprehensibility of codes and preliminary findings. Findings were revised and finalised based on this feedback.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It is estimated more than half of students have experienced adverse psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is estimated more than half of students have experienced adverse psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.35”

• cites [35] Office for National Statistics . Coronavirus and the impact on students in higher education in England: September to December 2020 [Internet], 2020. Available: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/educationandchildcare/articles/coronavirusandtheimpactonstudentsinhighereducationinenglandseptembertodecember2020/2020-12-21Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Loneliness during the pandemic has been associated with a decline in psychological well-being.

“which have been associated with a decline in psychological well-being.40”

• cites [40] Lee, 2020, Increases in loneliness among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and association with increases in mental health problems, J Adolesc Health sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The purposive recruitment approach was aligned with quota sampling, whereby a minimum number of participants in each group (based on age, ethnicity, living situation) were recruited to ensure learning about the richness of experience across groups.

“Our purposive recruitment approach was aligned with ‘quota sampling’, whereby a minimum number of participants in each group (based on age, ethnicity, living situation) were recruited to ensure we were able to learn about the richness of experience across groups.”

May combine two claims.

Some adolescents and young adults faced additional stressors during COVID-19, including a decline in parental well-being, child maltreatment and bereavement, all of which may compound changes in circumstances brought on by the pandemic.

“some adolescents and young adults faced additional stressors during COVID-19, including a decline in parental well-being, child maltreatment and bereavement, all of which may compound changes in circumstances brought on by the pandemic”

• cites [15] Romanou E , Belton E . Isolated and struggling: Social isolation and the risk of child maltreatment, in lockdown and beyond. [Internet], 2020. Available: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/2246/isolated-and-struggling-social-isolation-risk-child-maltreatment-lockdown-and-beyond.pdfNot checked yet

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• cites [16] Young Minds . Coronavirus: Impact on young people with mental health needs. [Internet], 2021. Available: https://youngminds.org.uk/media/4350/coronavirus-report-winter.pdfNot checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Data collection was conducted as two separate groups according to participant age (adolescents aged 13-17 years and young adults aged 18-24) to focus on experiences specific to different stages of development.

“We conducted data collection as two separate groups according to participant age (group 1: adolescents aged 13–17 years, group 2: young adults aged 18–24). We made this decision in order to focus on experiences that were specific to different stages of development in adolescence and ‘emerging’ adulthood.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Member checking methods were not used during the study.

“We did not use member checking methods during the study.”

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Although participants were screened to ensure people from multiple groups were included, the sample was ultimately recruited by convenience.

“Although we screened participants to ensure people from multiple groups were included, the nature of our recruitment process meant our sample was ultimately recruited by convenience.”

May combine two claims.

The perceived change in mental health awareness helped make it feel easier to talk to others about their well-being, and for some, this 'opened up' a dialogue with friends and family that had never been achieved before.

“This perceived change in mental health awareness helped make it feel easier to talk to others about their well-being, and for some, this ‘opened up’ a dialogue with friends and family that had never been achieved before.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

ARM and JD double coded three transcripts in the adolescent group to ensure consistency between coders in identifying topics of salience.

“ARM and JD double coded three transcripts in the adolescent group to ensure consistency between coders in identifying topics of salience.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

ARM and TM double coded three interview transcripts in the young adult group and discussed these to ensure coder consistency.

“ARM and TM double coded three interview transcripts in the young adult group and discussed these to ensure coder consistency.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Young people and adolescents were at risk of unique psychosocial consequences from the pandemic compared with other population groups.

“In these contexts, young people and adolescents were at risk of unique psychosocial consequences from the pandemic compared with other population groups”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: For children or young people in need of mental health support, the closing down of schools and universities removed access to coping resources or infrastructures located in these settings (eg, mental health services and peer support).
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The age span from adolescence to young adulthood is a particularly sensitive one as young people experience many major life transitions.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: There is limited work exploring young people's individual perceptions at various stages of the pandemic.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Scott et al found young people reported feeling less confident and like an 'imposter' following cancelled examinations due to the pandemic.

“Scott et al also found young people reported feeling less confident and like an ‘imposter’ following cancelled examinations due to the pandemic.38”

• cites [38] Scott, 2021, 'I'm Gonna Tell You about How Mrs Rona Has Affected Me'. Exploring Young People's Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in North East England: A Qualitative Diary-Based Study, Int J Environ Res Public Health sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, with particular attention paid to contextual factors (such as age, gender, ethnicity and health status) when analysing each individual transcript.

“The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, with particular attention paid to contextual factors (such as age, gender, ethnicity and health status) when analysing each individual transcript.”

May combine two claims.

The study's results suggest how social isolation led to these effects, including what felt like missed opportunities to create memories with friends and missed social events seen as rites of passage in young adulthood.

“Our results build on this by suggesting how social isolation led to these effects, including what felt like missed opportunities to create memories with friends and missed social events seen as rites of passage in young adulthood.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first UK study to use qualitative interviewing methods to learn more about the mental health and well-being of young people (aged 13-24) during multiple phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To our knowledge, this is the first UK study to use qualitative interviewing methods to learn more about the mental health and well-being of young people (aged 13–24) during multiple phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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Despite purposive recruitment, the sample contained more 15 and 16 year olds than other age groups, and participants who identified as White than other ethnic groups.

“but despite this, our sample contained more 15 years old and 16 years old than other age groups, and participants who identified as White than other ethnic groups.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Purposive recruitment strategies were used to try to increase the variability of experiences within the group of participants interviewed.

“Purposive recruitment strategies were used to try and increase the variability of experiences within the group of participants interviewed”

May combine two claims.

Some participants in the study reported feeling more able to talk about their mental health compared with prepandemic, suggesting less social stigma perceived by young people in this study to be associated with mental health and well-being.

“It is encouraging that some participants in this study reported feeling more able to talk about their mental health compared with prepandemic, suggesting less social stigma perceived by young people in this study to be associated with mental health and well-being.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

These changes represent a potentially positive side effect of the pandemic, providing they are supported and maintained.

“These changes represent a potentially positive side effect of the pandemic, providing they are supported and maintained.”

May combine two claims.

The study's findings suggest that young people in the study may have felt less stigma when talking about their mental health now compared with prepandemic, which was in part facilitated by initiatives through schools, universities and employers.

“Findings suggest that young people in the study may have felt less stigma when talking about their mental health now compared with prepandemic, which was in part facilitated by initiatives through schools, universities and employers.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Remote interviewing techniques may have excluded some groups with limited online access.

“Remote interviewing techniques may have excluded some groups with limited online access”

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Participants were from a range of living situations and health statuses.

“Those whom we spoke with were from a range of living situations and health statuses”

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Offering telephone calls and using remote data collection methods enabled the study to speak to more people from across the UK.

“we also offered to conduct telephone calls and remote data collection methods enabled us to speak to more people from across the UK.”

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Data were gathered throughout several key time points of the UK pandemic response, including as schools were reopening after the first lockdown, and as the second wave of the pandemic had begun.

“Data were gathered throughout several key time points of the UK pandemic response, including as schools were reopening after the first lockdown, and as the second wave of the pandemic had begun.”