The views of children in residential care on the COVID-19 lockdown: Implications for and their well-being and psychosocial intervention

Abstract

Background Recent international research has warned of the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on vulnerable children. However, little is known regarding the in-care population. Objective To find out how children in residential care perceived the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown in their everyday life, relationships and subjective well-being. Participants and setting 856 children from 10 to 17 years old (M age = 15.5, males = 71.2%, females = 28.8%) living in residential centres in Catalonia. Methods Cross-sectional study. Children responded to an on-line questionnaire administered between June and July 2020. Bivariate analysis and multiple linear regression were used comparing the answers by sex. Results Better relationships with caregivers (β = 9.156, [4.089–14.22], r 2 = 0.244, p < .01) and having a person of trust (ß = 4.588, [2.041–7.134], r 2 = 0.244, p < .01) were found to be relevant for children's subjective well-being. For girls, improving their grades (β = 14.86, [8.560–21.15], r 2 = 0.234, p < .01) were relevant while boys' subjective well-being was significantly affected by an increase in use of social networks (β = 8.917, [2.733–15.10], r 2 = 0.234, p < .01). Conclusions A gender perspective is needed to help girls in situations of vulnerability. We should continue to listen to children's opinions, giving them the opportunity to participate in improving the children's home and its immediate environment and ensuring they have access to stable adult role models.

The Subjective Well-Being of Children in Residential Care: Has It Changed in Recent Years?

“…All that being said, according to a recent study (Montserrat et al 2021), this positive effect may have been due to an improvement in relationships with social educators in the residential homes and the fact of finding in them a trusted person during lockdown, together with an improvement in academic results, also as a result of lockdown. These hypotheses gain weight if we take into account the results of previous studies, wherein precisely these aspects were found to be least satisfactory among children and adolescents in residential care (Ortúzar et al 2019;Garcia-Molsosa et al 2019).…”

“…However, three items displayed differences between 2014 and 2020: satisfaction with friends, with classmates and with the area where you live, with the overall means for 2020 being lower than in 2014. Presumably, the effects of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown could explain these differences in all three items with respect to 2014, in the sense that it has probably been difficult to maintain relationships with friends and/or classmates due to limitations in social interactions among the entire child population, but especially those in residential care, due to the logistical difficulties and resource requirements (human, material) that this entails (Montserrat et al 2021). As for the low level of satisfaction with the place where you live (referring to the neighbourhood), this may also be due to the conditions of confinement experienced during lockdown, in which boys and girls did not have the option to move freely around their local area.…”

We stick together! COVID-19 and psychological adjustment in youth residential care

“…In this exceptional conjuncture the residential care institutions have been forced to adopt different practices and to experience new challenges (Authors, under review). Although scientific knowledge regarding the impact of the pandemic on general people`s life has been increasing, less empirical data regarding the main implications of the pandemic on the residential care institutions is available ( Abaid et al, 2010 ; Cohen and Bosk, 2020 ; Montserrat et al, 2021 ; Vallejo-Slocker et al, 2020 ; Wong et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Some studies have found an increase of stress levels and emotional and behavioral problems (emotional distress and anger control problems) during this period. Studies show that the interruption of the regular face-to-face contacts with parents or significant figures may produce emotional insecurities and vulnerability in some adolescents with consequences on their well-being, emotional and behavioral adjustment ( Abaid et al, 2010 ; Cohen and Bosk, 2020 ; Haffejee and Levine, 2020 ; Montserrat et al, 2021 ; Neil et al, 2020 ; Vallejo-Slocker et al, 2020 ; Wong et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Recent research demonstrated the impact of the COVID-19 on adolescents’ well-being, mental health and psychological adjustment ( Montserrat et al, 2021 ; Vallejo-Slocker et al, 2020 ).…”