Lessons from the experience of adolescent migrants during the COVID-19 lockdown in Switzerland: a qualitative study

Author(s) : Caroline Heiniger, Joan-Carles Suris, Yara Barrense-Dias

Source : https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-08-2022-0086

Abstract:

Purpose

Three years after the COVID epidemic and the measures put in place by governments, the authors still cannot measure the full impact of them on the well-being and mental health of adolescents. This population was particularly impacted by this crisis, and some subgroups of young people, such as those from migration backgrounds, have been confronted with additional challenges. This paper aims to explore and describe the perspective and experience of migrant adolescents during the lockdown period.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed 13 semi-structured interviews with migrant adolescents (nine females, median age 16) at the pediatric policlinic of Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland between November 2020 and January 2021. Participants had been living in Switzerland for an average of 2.3 years. Three of them were staying in a refugee reception centre. A thematic content analysis was carried out to extract themes and topics.

Findings

Participants had difficulty understanding information about COVID-19 in general. Remote learning was described as stressful due to various factors and lockdown had an impact on their future plans, such as finding an apprenticeship. Some young people were already socially isolated, but families were generally supportive. They expressed particular concerns, such as the family’s financial situation and the difficulty of living in refugee reception centres.

Keywords: adolescent migrants, covid-19, lockdown, qualitative study