Group Homes and COVID-19: Perspectives of Youth Residents, Staff, and Caregivers

Whitney Howey, Andrea Assadollahi and Brad Lundahl
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Whitney Howey: College of Social Work, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Andrea Assadollahi: College of Social Work, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Brad Lundahl: College of Social Work, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: Objective: This study explored the perspectives of being in a youth group home during the COVID-19 pandemic from youth residents, staff, and caregivers. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 9 youth residents, 8 group home staff members, and 13 caregivers of residents. All participants were connected to the group home before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was used to identify lived experience themes. Results: Two overarching themes were identified among the youth residents— Safety response to COVID-19 and Socialization changes due to COVID —along with three subthemes: Structure leading to separation, Support and belonging amid a pandemic, and Competency. Three overarching themes were identified among the group home staff: Safety response to COVID-19, Increased responsibility, and Mental health changes because of a pandemic. Finally, three overarching themes were identified among the guardians of youth residents: Safety response to COVID-19, Belief in a mental health impact on the child, and Communication during a pandemic. Conclusions: The findings provide the experiences among three group home stakeholders. Overall, they demonstrated resilience in a setting and time when resilience was essential. Finally, the findings offer insight on the basis of which group homes/organizations can prepare for crises of a great magnitude, including vital communication elements.

Keywords: group home; COVID-19; youth residents; staff; caregivers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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