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. 2022 Jun;95(2):383-401.
doi: 10.1111/papt.12374. Epub 2021 Dec 13.

How young people experienced COVID-19 disease containment measures in the Western Cape, South Africa: A qualitative study including the perspectives of young people, their parents, teachers and school counsellors

Bronwynè J Coetzee  1 , Hermine Gericke  1 , Suzanne Human  1 , Paul Stallard  2 , Maria Loades  3
Affiliations

How young people experienced COVID-19 disease containment measures in the Western Cape, South Africa: A qualitative study including the perspectives of young people, their parents, teachers and school counsellors

Bronwynè J Coetzee et al. Psychol Psychother. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the potential impact of COVID-19 disease containment measures on children's mental health and well-being, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We sought to explore this amongst young adolescents in South Africa and from the perspectives of multiple key stakeholders.

Methods: We conducted 25 individual semi-structured telephonic interviews with children (n = 7, aged 12-13 years), teachers (n = 8), parents/caregivers (n = 7) and school counsellors (n = 3) from two public primary schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. Interviews were conducted between July and September 2020 and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis procures.

Results: We generated three overarching themes: "locked down at home", "social disconnection" and "back to school." Children had varying reactions to COVID-19 and lockdown including excitement, frustration, anxiety, boredom and loneliness. Parents were anxious about teaching, and technology did not consistently provide the necessary support. Children felt disconnected from their peers at home, and at school, reconnecting with friends was obstructed by disease containment measures. All participants were concerned about children completing the academic year successfully and worried excessively about the implications of this year on their future.

Conclusion: Young people and their immediate networks, in a low- and middle-income context, described a variety of negative impacts of disease containment measures emotionally, although there was a wide variety of experiences. Children, parents, teachers and counsellors all wanted resources and support and were concerned about the longer-term impacts of disease containment measures.

Keywords: COVID-19; LMICs; South Africa; adolescents; disease containment measures; mental health; pandemic; qualitative.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) have declared that they have no competing or potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Progression of COVID‐19 in South Africa and indication of various levels of lockdown
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Attrition of participants from initial interviews in 2019 to follow‐up interviews in 2020
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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