Background
Methods
Participants and procedure
Data analysis
Results
Knowledge about the coronavirus pandemic
many people have died from all this … the older ones can easily die… (Participant 1)
A group of participants commented on the efforts of combating coronavirus pandemic (i.e., existing crisis management practices in Greece and on the existing knowledge about treatment and disease prevention):others go through it a little heavily, others more lightly … I know that mostly older people get sick … children fortunately go through it very lightly … because, unfortunately, it is very easily transmitted by children to adults mainly (Participant 8)
In Greece we have handled it quite well, so things are better than in other countries that have been hit harder than us (Participant 1)
Additionally, one participant referred to the psychosocial aftermath of the pandemic, reflecting on the consequences for infected people and their social environment:… unfortunately, it has not yet been found, at least to the best of my knowledge, either a drug or a vaccine or anything else … we hope to find a vaccine (Participant 2)
The (infected) are afraid of the pandemic and feel anxiety, isolation ... they can't see their loved ones ... even their friends, their relatives... Very sad indeed (Participant 9)
Changes in everyday life
A second non-hospitalized participant viewed the increased contact with loved ones during home restriction as a positive aspect of the pandemic:... unless we consider the general condition worldwide, the strict measures that each country has taken... I understand these measures that have been taken and I believe all this is happening for our own good, so I comply with them like any other citizen … and I believe that all this will pass, and we will continue our daily routine as before... (Participant 2)
Almost all participants mentioned negative changes in everyday life. Limitations on social life were the most referred to as a negative change. More specifically, nearly all participants referred to the decreased contact with loved ones, the restrictions on socializing opportunities as well as the indoors confinement and schools’ closure.... so, we are all together again... it’s been a long time since we’d all been together like that... it was an opportunity to spend some time together... (Participant 1)
On the contrary, one non-hospitalized participant recognized a negative aspect related to the increased contact with loved ones.... I cannot meet my loved ones in person... (Participant 1)
... there can sometimes be disagreements or fights about many issues... (Participant 1)
Another particularly interesting concept that emerged from quite a few non-hospitalized participants' responses was that of restriction of personal freedom and prohibitions.
... obviously I can't go out whenever I want to (Participant 1)
… we can only go out when... for some important reason... and still one person at a time... (Participant 2)
Regarding the adaptation of new obligatory protective behaviors, some participants referred to new hygiene rules that must be followed and to a necessary modification of social encountering.... we must send a text message if we need to go out... (Participant 6)
Finally, some hospitalized participants did not acknowledge any significant changes in everyday life, in view of their pre-existing confinement in the inpatient unit before the onset of the pandemic.We must be within distance from each other, we don't hug each other too much … (Participant 3)
Ehm... of course in here, ok, things have changed very little ... (Participant 6)
Feelings about the pandemic
I feel a bit anxious because my mum unfortunately belongs to a vulnerable group ...and I want to know that she is well, all the time... I am very concerned about my grandparents who are old... about the people whom I love, and I care about (Participant 8)
I see my brother, who is a student and obviously used to go out very often, being more irritable and getting mad more easily... (Participant 1)
Some participants expressed concern about the future and the unknown:... but ok, I can’t say I am really worried about contracting it myself... (Participant 1)
I’m worried about how things will evolve – I mean, how am I to go to school next year ... what will happen with the exams ... all this stresses me out ... I like to know my schedule and not be, like, in a "wait- and-see" situation... (Participant 1)
Notably enough, two participants raised concern about the management of the pandemic from a global perspective:I feel anxiety about when this thing will come to an end … (Participant 6)
Few participants expressed sadness about the deceased or affected people in general. However, more expressed their sorrow regarding the lack of contact with their loved ones, while sadness was also associated with anger and ennui:In other countries, cases are either increased daily or are way too many... (Participant 2)
I’m sad about all these people who have died, or those who are ill, and we still don’t know their outcome … (Participant 2)
I also feel very bad about the other people who used to be free before but now are all homebound... (Participant 8)
I feel a bit sad for not being able to see my dad, because - as a high-risk individual - he is not allowed to get around... (Participant 3)
I also feel sorrow that I do not see my family... (Participant 9)
I feel sadder because I’m mainly bored... (Participant 6)
Four of the participants emphasised on the feeling of being confined (‘trapped’, even) and of having been deprived of their freedom. Some of them also said that hospitalisation has been keeping their routine unchanged, whilst others as an aggravating factor of their feelings of confinement and loneliness.... I simultaneously feel anger... and maybe sadness... (Participant 9)
I don’t feel very well ... but I manage. Everybody must be feeling like that, like they are ‘boxed’ in a house (Participant 5)
Notably, positive feelings about the pandemic were also recorded between the participants. Several participants expressed optimism, while participants who were subjected to home isolation did acknowledge some positive feelings about the lockdown due to the increased amount of time spent with their loved ones.... It would help me to be out, not in here... to be with my brothers, my family, with the ones I love. ... I cannot do the things I want when I’m shut in here, and I feel like being on my own. (Participant 7)
This will not be for too long, now that the temperature is rising and it’ll be warm, it will go away (Participant 3)
...on the other hand, I’m happy to hear on the news that cases are decreasing daily, at least in Greece... I believe everything will be fine... (Participant 2)
Finally, when asked about their feelings about the current situation, some inpatients were in two minds. Mixed feelings aside, two participants expressed non-significant changes in their emotions.I enjoy the days spent with my parents, because I know that when we go back to normality my mum will be working work until late, my dad will return to his shifts and all that... so it was a chance for all of us to be together (Participant 1)
I feel like the other times... ok. I can play with my sisters and watch TV (Participant 4)
Helpful thoughts and behaviors
Finally, regarding helpful thoughts, a crucial factor is that adolescents put trust in both the authorities and in the community. Indeed, many participants positively commented on the solid operation of Greek state’s institutions and on the citizens’ compliance with the measures. Trust in the scientific community was also reported.… and generally, to not feel as if I'm alone in all this … (Participant 1)
… and I think that Greece has taken preventive measures much earlier, compared to other countries, and [I think] that, at present, we are one of the safest countries (Participant 6)
… there haven’t been many violations (Participant 1)
... we have taken precautions ... and that reassures me... (Participant 6)
On the issue of helpful behaviors, few participants admitted that regulating the amount of information received is of paramount importance. More specifically, two participants voice their need to hear positive news about the pandemic so that the former may feel better. One non-hospitalized participant focused on his need for minimal media information whilst emphasizing their constant need to be kept informed about what has been going on.... both doctors and experts do the best they can to help people feel safe... (Participant 2)
Additionally, almost all participants mentioned a need for imaginative leisure activities alongside the need to engage with others through contact with loved ones as well as by resorting to them for comfort when necessary:I generally don't sit and watch the news all the time … this doesn’t help me obviously … I watch very little, just enough so as not to live in a bubble (Participant 1)
Obviously, talking to my friends and not isolating myself helps; the same goes for talking with my grandparents via Skype as much as I can .... and, when I'm feeling anxious, I visit my parents for support ... I believe in this... (Participant 1)
How the social environment can help adolescents deal with the pandemic-related situation
A balanced approach and mindset in the environment were identified as a helpful strategy by several adolescents, especially by those who focused on their family’s positive attitude and avoidance of excessive panic:Obviously [I want the family] to not hide things from me, to not tell me ‘everything is fine’, because, ok, I wouldn’t like to not know what is going on... but I wouldn’t like to hear them overanalyzing all this with aimless discussions either (Participant 1)
… if a family’s or the relative’s, or the wider environment’s general perception is positive and correct, then the child does not worry that much and feels relief instead (Participant 2)
Just others to not feel sad and not give up (Participant 5)
What is more, half of the participants considered emotion regulation within the environment to be helpful. An emotionally serene atmosphere wherein all family members can manage stress and express painful feelings with a view to receive reassurance through fruitful discussion was also a desideratum.To not exaggerate... to not act as if this is the end of the world … (Participant 1)
... that tensions will be not... and others will not be stressed, because stress is transmittable, so when my parents feel anxious, I can sense it too (Participant 1)
... that I could talk to my parents or my sister about the problems that worry me (Participant 9)
A family’s positive emotional climate proved to be the most reported helpful aspect for most of the adolescents. This in turn suggests that family would offer ample room for discussion as well as display empathy so that the children can feel a closeness with others and that they can be given support, escaping thus loneliness. In a similar vein, some participants reported the physical proximity to their loved ones as quite a helpful parameter.... and they would tell me things like “this will go away soon”, “it will not last too long, and then things will be like they used to be’ (Participant 3)
When, for example, my relatives discuss with me, this helps me a lot (Participant 6)
... and when, to a great extent, they understand how we feel (Participant 2)
What I need now, I believe, is for my family to stand by me... because I don’t feel alone in that way (Participant 1)
Another helpful way of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, as mentioned by two non-hospitalized participants, was the stimulus for shared leisure time and distractions from others.It would help me very much, if the hospital staff could pressurise the institution staff to come and get me... as soon as possible... and then, if they could bring my brothers here to see them for a bit, but they can’t actually consider where they live... (Participant 7)
... to spend our time creatively, to not have many moments that I would sit and think on my own about what will happen... so, when others are by me and draw my attention away from all this coronavirus issue, I believe this helps me a lot (Participant 1)
One participant talked about looking into the future (i.e., plans for the future and the removal of restrictions) as being a comforting expectation.... when I discuss together with the people with whom I share the same space, this helps take our minds off all this (Participant 6)
Another female reflected on her thoughts that people’s compliance with the strict measures would help her feel better:... it helps for others to tell me several things we can do and arrange when the pandemic ends, for example, discussing where we can go out, or where to spend the summer holidays (Participant 6)
Notably, the same participant reported that there is nothing that could help her:Maybe if all people would isolate themselves in their home, this would be helpful for me, because there are people who don’t abide by the measures and go out and unfortunately that’s how the virus is being transmitted (Participant 8)
Her view chimes well with that of another participant:I think there is nothing that could help me think even slightly differently about the coronavirus (Participant 8)
Two more adolescents could not think of any helpful practices at first; yet shortly after they were soon able to pinpoint specific ways through which others could help them feel better.No, I don’t have anything … (Participant 4)