Adolescents’ Lockdown-Induced Coping Experiences (ALICE) study:
A qualitative exploration of early adolescents’ experiences of lockdown
and reintegration
The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping the world, with many lives lost
(Gov.UK, 2021). Across the UK, both local and national restrictions are
enforced to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. For example, not mixing
with other households, not allowing other households into your home, and
children not attending school unless they are vulnerable or children of
keyworkers (Gov.UK, 2021). These precautions aim to reduce the spread of
infection (British Medical Association, 2020). However, the isolation of
lockdown inevitably had a negative impact on some people’s mental health
(Usher et al., 2020). Indeed, Reger et al. (2020) described the COVID-19
pandemic as a ‘perfect storm’ for inducing emotional distress. Pandemics
are associated with uncertainty, ambiguity and loss of control, as well
as worries about one’s own and others’ health, lifestyle disruptions,
social isolation and loneliness – all of which are known risk factors
for heightened mental health difficulties and poorer wellbeing (Shanahan
et al., 2020). Specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic, including both the
disease itself and the associated prevention measures, presents
particular challenges to adolescents (Dvorsky et al., 2020). Factors
such as school closures, social distancing requirements, cancelled
plans, and loss of face-to-face relationships can all be especially
difficult for young people to manage (Branquinho et al., 2020),
particularly at a time when they are already at a heightened
vulnerability for mental health difficulties.