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Children’s Independent Mobility and Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study with Families

Author

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  • Chelsea A. Pelletier

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada)

  • Katie Cornish

    (Health Research Institute, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada)

  • Caroline Sanders

    (School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada)

Abstract

Children’s independent mobility (CIM) is the freedom of children to move around their neighbourhood without adult supervision and is closely related to overall physical activity participation. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted movement behaviours for children, with evidence indicating a decrease in physical activity. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of CIM and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of children and their parents. We completed 21 family (at least one parent and one child aged 7–12) semi-structured interviews with 45 participants living in small urban and rural areas of British Columbia, Canada. Three themes were identified through a reflexive thematic analysis: (1) keeping everyone safe from COVID-19; (2) change in pattern and types of activity; (3) social impacts with family, friends, and community. Participants expressed a perceived increase in unstructured activity and a decrease in structured physical activity during the pandemic, which many parents viewed as a positive change. Parents and children indicated negative feelings due to spending less time with peers and reflected positively about spending more time with family. Parents and children expressed fear and anxiety in trying to keep their families safe from virus spread and creativity in adapting play behaviours. Findings highlight the impact of the pandemic on social friendship networks for families and a shift in activity patterns for children toward unstructured play.

Suggested Citation

  • Chelsea A. Pelletier & Katie Cornish & Caroline Sanders, 2021. "Children’s Independent Mobility and Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study with Families," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4481-:d:541908
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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.
    2. Isabel Marzi & Anne Kerstin Reimers, 2018. "Children’s Independent Mobility: Current Knowledge, Future Directions, and Public Health Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Negin A. Riazi & Sébastien Blanchette & François Trudeau & Richard Larouche & Mark S. Tremblay & Guy Faulkner, 2019. "Correlates of Children’s Independent Mobility in Canada: A Multi-Site Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Fyhri, Aslak & Hjorthol, Randi & Mackett, Roger L. & Fotel, Trine Nordgaard & Kyttä, Marketta, 2011. "Children's active travel and independent mobility in four countries: Development, social contributing trends and measures," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 703-710, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Monika Szpunar & Kendall Saravanamuttoo & Leigh M. Vanderloo & Brianne A. Bruijns & Stephanie Truelove & Shauna M. Burke & Jason Gilliland & Jennifer D. Irwin & Patricia Tucker, 2022. "Children’s Physical Activity during COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada: Parents’ Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. 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.
    3. Lea Rossi & Nick Behme & Christoph Breuer, 2021. "Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, October.

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