Alone Together: Youth and Their Relationships during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This work focused on the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on youth’s significant relationships. It was a part of a broader qualitative study of young people’s narratives (administered online) about their experiences during the first year of the pandemic. The coding scheme was developed on the initial sample of 70 narratives, while 41 of those narratives containing codes about relationships (family, friends, romantic partners, community) were chosen for thematic analysis. Seven major themes were extracted: 1. Quality time with family; 2. Tensions between household members; 3. Missing close friends; 4. Missing social life; 5. Re-evaluating the role of others; 6. Benefits of romantic relations; 7. Connecting with the community. Participants noticed that their relationships with family members, peers, romantic partners and communities were different. Some of these changes were seen as positive (more time together, closeness, sense of belonging and shared experiences), while others were regarded as unfavorable or detrimental (physical and emotional distancing from peers, missing out). The pandemic significantly affected young peoples’ quality of contact with others. The results imply that relational functioning should be assessed during a time of crisis, when it could be even more important than in regular circumstances, as a resource or an additional challenge.