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A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Katriona O’Sullivan

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

  • Serena Clark

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

  • Amy McGrane

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

  • Nicole Rock

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

  • Lydia Burke

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

  • Neasa Boyle

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

  • Natasha Joksimovic

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

  • Kevin Marshall

    (Department of Psychology, The National University of Ireland, Maynooth W23 F2H, Ireland)

Abstract

Mitigating the adverse physical health risks associated with COVID-19 has been a priority of public health incentives. Less attention has been placed on understanding the psychological factors related to the global pandemic, especially among vulnerable populations. This qualitative study sought to understand the experiences of children and adolescents during COVID-19. This study interviewed 48 families during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and a national lockdown, to understand its impacts. The study used an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Parents and children discussed the negative impact of the restrictions on young people’s wellbeing. Children and adolescents experienced adverse mental health effects, including feelings of social isolation, depression, anxiety, and increases in maladaptive behaviour. Families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders reported increased mental health difficulties during this period mostly due to changes to routine. The findings highlight the impact of severe restrictions on vulnerable populations’ wellbeing and mental health outcomes, including children, adolescents, and those with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1062-:d:486828
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Finiki Nearchou & Clodagh Flinn & Rachel Niland & Sheena Siva Subramaniam & Eilis Hennessy, 2020. "Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Daise Fernanda Santos Souza Escobar & Thais Ferreira de Jesus & Priscilla Rayanne e Silva Noll & Matias Noll, 2020. "Family and School Context: Effects on the Mental Health of Brazilian Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xi Chen & Stefan Kühner, 2025. "Life Stressors, Social Support, and Children’s Subjective Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Cross-National Survey of 20 Societies," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 18(2), pages 905-936, April.
    2. Oakley, Erin & Vintges, Joost & Abu Hamad, Bassam & Mitu, Khadija & Seager, Jennifer & Yadete, Workneh & Jones, Nicola & Baird, Sarah, 2025. "Adolescence, Interrupted: A narrative review of the impact of Covid-19 on adolescent wellbeing," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
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    7. Katrina Lloyd & Dirk Schubotz & Rosellen Roche & Joel Manzi & Martina McKnight, 2023. "A Mental Health Pandemic? Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Young People’s Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-16, August.
    8. Stephanie Scott & Victoria J. McGowan & Shelina Visram, 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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-21, April.
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    10. Katarzyna Kotlarska & Benita Wielgus & Łukasz Cichocki, 2021. "Phenomenology of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience in Patients Suffering from Chronic Schizophrenia—A Qualitative Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.
    11. Kimberly C. Thomson & Emily Jenkins & Randip Gill & Chris G. Richardson & Monique Gagné Petteni & Corey McAuliffe & Anne M. Gadermann, 2021. "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Mental Health in Canada: Findings from a Multi-Round Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-17, November.
    12. Justė Lukoševičiūtė & Kastytis Šmigelskas, 2022. "Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Perceptions among Lithuanian Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    13. Katarína Polónyiová & Barbara Rašková & Daniela Ostatníková, 2022. "Changes in Mental Health during Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Slovakia: Neurotypical Children versus Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, September.
    14. Seung-Man Lee & Jung-In Yoo & Hyun-Su Youn, 2021. "Changes in Alienation in Physical Education Classes, School Happiness, and Expectations of a Future Healthy Life after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korean Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-11, October.
    15. 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.
    16. Tania Clarke & Ruth Platt, 2023. "Children’s Lived Experiences of Wellbeing at School in England: a Phenomenological Inquiry," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 963-996, June.
    17. M. Siyabend Kaya & Ciara McCabe, 2022. "Effects of COVID-19 on Adolescent Mental Health and Internet Use by Ethnicity and Gender: A Mixed-Method Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-20, July.
    18. Rachel Winter & Anna Lavis, 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Young People’s Mental Health in the UK: Key Insights from Social Media Using Online Ethnography," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    19. Ana Lourenço & Fernando Martins & Beatriz Pereira & Rui Mendes, 2021. "Children Are Back to School, but Is Play Still in Lockdown? Play Experiences, Social Interactions, and Children’s Quality of Life in Primary Education in the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-15, November.

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