“Crises are looming all around”. Viewpoints of young people in residential group care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Thomas, Elisabeth; Equit, Claudia

Abstract

The project “Participation in Residential Care”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), shows that inequalities in schooling and training intensified and opportunities for social participation decreased among adolescents in residential care groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. This exacerbation of already difficult living conditions and intensification of the many different issues suffered by adolescents in residential groups during the COVID-19 pandemic can be described as a magnifying effect. Adolescents reported various challenges and reduced opportunities for maintaining relationships and experiencing co-determination in important areas of life (e.g., contact with family or peers), as well as an intensification of scholastic and psychological problems. This article explores the challenges and stressors experienced by this target group, and the strategies they use to cope with increased stress and deteriorating living conditions in their daily lives.