Adolescer in Time of COVID-19′s Pandemic: Rationale and Construction Process of a Digital Intervention to Promote Adolescents’ Positive Development

Teresa Freire, Gabriela Santana, Alexandra Vieira and Bruna Barbosa
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Teresa Freire: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Gabriela Santana: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Alexandra Vieira: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Bruna Barbosa: School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: The coronavirus pandemic has severely impacted children’s and adolescents’ lives due to policies and regulations implemented to slow the virus from spreading, which led to a loss of routine, structure, academic support, and social contacts. Literature also reports a lack of outdoor activity, inappropriate diet, and disruption of sleeping habits as affecting children’s and adolescents’ lifestyles and well-being. Remarkably, these consequent psychological, behavioral, and emotional changes can compromise their self-esteem, sense of self-efficacy, and self-concept, affecting their immune systems. These maladaptive coping strategies and associated effects may emerge as a failure to access some of the sources of support that might help them cope. Facing this crisis, we aimed at promoting well-being, growth, and the positive development of Portuguese adolescents through an intervention focused on positive coping strategies. We developed “ Adolescer in time of COVID-19—A good practices Guide for adolescents in social distancing” as a digital document to be quickly disseminated online, answering the emergent needs of Portuguese youth between 13 and 18 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we present the rationale and process of construction of this intervention while living within a quarantine period, considering the restrictive measures adopted at the time.

Keywords: adolescents; children; mental health; pandemic; positive development; positive psychological interventions; well-being (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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