‘It’s Easily the Lowest I’ve Ever, Ever Got to’: A Qualitative Study of Young Adults’ Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Lockdowns in the UK

Abstract

(1) Background: Social connectivity is key to young people’s mental health. Local assets facilitate social connection, but were largely inaccessible during the pandemic. This study consequently investigates the social isolation of young adults and their use of local assets during the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK. (2) Methods: Fifteen semi-structured Zoom interviews were undertaken with adults aged 18–24 in the UK. Recruitment took place remotely, and transcripts were coded and analysed thematically. (3) Results: Digital assets were key to young people’s social connectivity, but their use was associated with stress, increased screen time and negative mental health outcomes. The lockdowns impacted social capital, with young people’s key peripheral networks being lost, yet close friendships being strengthened. Finally, young people’s mental health was greatly affected by the isolation, but few sought help, mostly out of a desire to not overburden the NHS. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the extent of the impact of the pandemic isolation on young people’s social capital and mental health. Post-pandemic strategies targeting mental health system strengthening, social isolation and help-seeking behaviours are recommended.

Pandemic-related experiences, mental health symptoms, substance use, and relationship conflict among older adolescents and young adults from Manitoba, Canada

“…For example, in a mixed methods study from the United States, adolescents identified that a particularly challenging aspect of COVID-19 was feeling disconnected and lacking support from friends, romantic partners, and/or extended or distant family members despite connecting with one another electronically ( Rogers et al, 2021 ). In a qualitative study, young adults (aged 18-24) living in the United Kingdom during the pandemic similarly identified the difficulty in maintaining social connections even while interacting electronically ( Dedryver and Knai, 2021 ).…”

The Phenomenon of Social and Pastoral Service in Eastern Slovakia and Northwestern Czech Republic during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison of Two Selected Units of Former Czechoslovakia in the Context of the Perspective of Positive Solutions

“…Each institution is made up of individual people. The individual feels a commitment and an obligation to act in a critical situation depending on whether the act itself supports or, conversely, disproves its fundamental values [49,50].…”

Credibility and Involvement of Social Media in Education—Recommendations for Mitigating the Negative Effects of the Pandemic among High School Students

“…Isolation, loneliness, a delayed return to work or school, and restrictions on social interactions are contributing to the increase in new cases of depression, suicidal ideation, attempts at self-harm, fears, anxieties, mood disturbances (elevated or irritable mood), academic procrastination, and insomnia. These and many others negative effects of the current pandemic are bringing into the issue of current public health more new patients, as well as a worsening of existing patients’ conditions [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The OECD states that up to one in six citizens of countries belonging to the European Union suffer from a mental health problem.…”

“…Children and young people remain the most vulnerable group in terms of considerations and recommendations to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on a regional and global scale [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Especially for today’s young people (high school and university students or young workers), a small intensification of risk factors has been seen (social anxiety, loneliness, procrastination, presence of psychotic symptoms, addiction to the internet and computer games, increased use of alcohol and psychotropic substances) [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”