Southampton researchers have opened a study working with young people to better understand how COVID-19 restrictions are affecting them and how best to support them.
Professor Mary Barker from our NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR BRC), is leading conversations with young people in and around Southampton about the impact of COVID-19, and building resources to lessen this during the pandemic.
Young people’s perspective
Widespread criticism of teenagers and young people has centred on the belief that they are taking less notice of the current lockdown than others, endangering themselves and the wider population.
However, early research interviews by Prof. Barker and the Lifelab Southampton team indicated that a lack of purpose is influencing many, leaving them anxious and lost under the stay-at-home directives.
Year 11 and 13 students appear particularly affected. The sudden suspension of their education and cancellation of national exams is taking away a central focus of their lives, leaving them facing a long summer – or longer – with nothing to do.
Finding their own solutions
Yet when asked, participants had some clear ideas for ways to support constructive activities, including structured opportunities to support their local communities, access to free mobile data or courses to learn new skills, and work packages to prepare for upcoming A-level or university courses.
“Lockdown for young people is clearly a very difficult experience. They may also be amongst the least adherent presumably because they perceive themselves to be least at risk,” comments Professor Mary Barker.
“It is beholden to us to listen to their voices and with them to find ways of minimising the long-term negative impact on them of this extraordinary, unprecedented experience. In our conversations with young people, we have found them to be well-informed, articulate and very clear about the support they need.” Prof. Barker concludes.
Developing their own solutions for the duration – and beyond
Prof. Barker and the Lifelab team are working with two groups of young advisors to conduct a more in-depth study over the next few months.
Together, they will follow the impact of the pandemic experience on a number of young people in Southampton and surrounds, through remote focus group discussions, social media diaries and self-reporting of their diet, physical activity, mental health and well-being.
At the same time discussions with local services and volunteering organisations are developing resources and opportunities for young people to help out and gain valuable experience.
Professor Keith Godfrey, BRC Nutrition theme lead underlined how the impact on young people at such a critical time in their lives must be taken seriously, as society strives to protect older people, those with chronic conditions and the NHS.
“The global climate movement has demonstrated how young people can drive the global policy agenda in positive ways, and there are similar opportunities for the world to benefit from their vision in relation to COVID,” he commented.
“Moreover, wider society will be permanently changed by the emergency and the views of young people will be critical in shaping the post-COVID world." Prof. Godfrey concludes.