“I couldn’t see my friends; the internet was bad, and I hardly went out” – insights into children’s and adolescents’ experiences of COVID-19 in Germany

Abstract

Purpose We explored children’s experiences of COVID-19 in terms of proximity and distance to significant others. Methods Our qualitative study with children in Germany (6–15 years of age) explored their views and experiences of COVID-19 times via drawings and face-to-face semi-structured interviews ( n = 13). We analysed data thematically and used the socio-ecological model as the theoretical underpinning. Case studies contextualized how children dealt with the COVID-19 precautions. Results Salient motives in children’s drawings were school scenarios showing distance-keeping and mask-wearing as an expression of interpersonal distance; in the home-schooling context, loneliness was highlighted. Drawings also illustrated the impact of COVID-19 in terms of separation, illness and death. A dynamic perception of proximity and distance emerged from drawings and interviews. COVID-19 barred children from spending “real” time together with close friends. Bridging physical distance virtually was easier for adolescents than for children. Conclusion To bolster children’s mental and social resilience in future epidemics, participants’ plea for maintaining social and physical interactions with significant others and for keeping schools open should be heeded by policy-makers. Our study also highlights the benefits of conducting direct research with children and using non-verbal methods of data collection.

Children's experiences of mask‐wearing: a systemic review and narrative synthesis

“…An example of a different approach includes trials which contain open-ended, qualitative sections, where children were asked for any input on the masks they wore. 26,44,59 Children were not only able to identify areas of improvement for their experiences of mask-wearing but were also able to suggest approaches to improve these experiences. In addition, a study of children in Germany used semistructured interviews with drawings by children to explore their experiences of mask-wearing and established additional themes, such as the psychological barrier and distance felt by children when wearing masks.…”

“…In addition, a study of children in Germany used semistructured interviews with drawings by children to explore their experiences of mask-wearing and established additional themes, such as the psychological barrier and distance felt by children when wearing masks. 26 Though there are specific challenges that children may face with mask-wearing, there are many that appear to be consistent among all wearers, regardless of the age of the wearer. Across studies focussing on both children and adults, there are discussions around difficulty reading facial expressions and communicating, physical discomfort and feeling that masks were embarrassing.…”