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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Habilitating Residential Communities for Unaccompanied Minors during the First Lockdown in Italy: The Educators’ Relational Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Isernia

    (IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy)

  • Francesca Sangiuliano Intra

    (IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy
    Faculty of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Camilla Bussandri

    (Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Mario Clerici

    (IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy
    Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Valeria Blasi

    (IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy
    These authors equally contributed to the work.)

  • Francesca Baglio

    (IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy
    These authors equally contributed to the work.)

Abstract

(1) Background: Italian residential communities for unaccompanied minors suffered a long period of closure during the SARS-COV2 lockdown. Professional educators who work inside these institutions with the aim to habilitate children toward life-span achievements faced a great challenge and responsibility during this period. In this context, the psychological well-being and development of unaccompanied children were at high risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the lockdown on children living in residential communities from the educators’ perspective and to explore whether the educators’ relational lens was related to their perception and sense-making. (2) Methods: We conducted a mix-method study enrolling 21 educators in 10 residential communities who completed an interview and a self-construal scale. (3) Results: The interview was analyzed by a qualitative content method revealing 10 themes (social relationships, stand-by, emotions, new activities, new norms acceptance, end of lockdown, time, space, resilience, and achievements). Moreover, correlation analyses were performed to test the possible association between RISC and themes that emerged from the interviews, showing significant associations with four interview themes. (4) Conclusions: Our study highlights considerable lockdown effects on residential communities and the importance of educators’ relational approach, a tool for habilitating children and a protective factor against emotional overwhelming.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Isernia & Francesca Sangiuliano Intra & Camilla Bussandri & Mario Clerici & Valeria Blasi & Francesca Baglio, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Habilitating Residential Communities for Unaccompanied Minors during the First Lockdown in Italy: The Educators’ Relational Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:6166-:d:570357
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katriona O’Sullivan & Serena Clark & Amy McGrane & Nicole Rock & Lydia Burke & Neasa Boyle & Natasha Joksimovic & Kevin Marshall, 2021. "A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Seidel, Franziska & Hettich, Nora & James, Sigrid, 2022. "Transnational family life of displaced unaccompanied minors – A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).

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