Children’s Independent Mobility and Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study with Families

Chelsea A. Pelletier, Katie Cornish and Caroline Sanders
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Chelsea A. Pelletier: School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
Katie Cornish: Health Research Institute, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
Caroline Sanders: School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Children’s independent mobility (CIM) is the freedom of children to move around their neighbourhood without adult supervision and is closely related to overall physical activity participation. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted movement behaviours for children, with evidence indicating a decrease in physical activity. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of CIM and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of children and their parents. We completed 21 family (at least one parent and one child aged 7–12) semi-structured interviews with 45 participants living in small urban and rural areas of British Columbia, Canada. Three themes were identified through a reflexive thematic analysis: (1) keeping everyone safe from COVID-19; (2) change in pattern and types of activity; (3) social impacts with family, friends, and community. Participants expressed a perceived increase in unstructured activity and a decrease in structured physical activity during the pandemic, which many parents viewed as a positive change. Parents and children indicated negative feelings due to spending less time with peers and reflected positively about spending more time with family. Parents and children expressed fear and anxiety in trying to keep their families safe from virus spread and creativity in adapting play behaviours. Findings highlight the impact of the pandemic on social friendship networks for families and a shift in activity patterns for children toward unstructured play.

Keywords: physical activity; exercise; outdoor play; COVID-19; family research; interview; active transportation; rural health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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