Department or Program

Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the environment and conditions created by the global coronavirus pandemic impacted the psychological well-being of children 9 to 12 years of age. Specifically, this study sought to uncover how widespread isolation from peers, degree of family connectedness, and a variety of other factors related to children’s psychological well-being. Both the child and parent perspectives on this subject were gathered in order to gain a full insight into children’s experiences. This study consisted of semi-structured interviews with 38 children and 32 parents, and used Grounded Theory Methodology (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) to identify the emergent themes. In general, children were adaptable and resilient under the circumstances of widespread isolation, and all of the children in the sample claimed to be experiencing similar psychological well-being (PWB) levels during the pandemic as they did previously. High levels of family connectedness seemed to play a critical role in benefiting child PWB during this time. Fortunately, most children within this study were able to find ways of staying connected to friends, further contributing to satisfactory levels of child PWB. Children also discussed numerous additional variables that impacted them in various ways, each pointing to factors that they felt both hindered and enhanced their PWB. Parent perceptions not only aligned with and reinforced their child/children’s answers, but offered deep insight into their children’s experiences as well.

Level of Access

Open Access

First Advisor

Fraser-Thill, Rebecca

Date of Graduation

5-2021

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Number of Pages

202

Components of Thesis

1 pdf file

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