Long-term impacts of COVID-19 on young people in Scotland
Our new LockdownLowdown research into the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 on Scotland’s young people suggests that nearly two in five do not feel optimistic about their future employment prospects. It also shows that 41% of those in part-time employment have seen their contracted hours reduced as a result of the pandemic.
Commissioned by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament, YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot, the study of over 6,000 young people serves as a follow-up to research conducted earlier in the year that explored young people’s immediate concerns in response to COVID-19.
Alongside the survey, the Scottish Youth Parliament ran focus groups with young people whose voices are seldom heard – to identify if the pandemic has impacted pre-existing inequalities.
Nearly nine months on, the new LockdownLowdown research shows:
Employment and finances are a leading concern among young people – with more than a third of those in employment placed on furlough.
Access to information continues to be an issue, with two-thirds of respondents admitting to not knowing how to access information on financial support and two in five still aren’t confident about accessing information on mental health and wellbeing.
Two in five young people are worried about their mental health – an improvement compared to April.
Following the reopening of schools and learning environments, over three-quarters of young people have returned to in-person education – with more than two thirds happy to be back. However, respondents admitted they would like more information on the future of schools and exam procedures.
The focus group research with young people whose voices are often unheard, includes interviews with disabled young people, young people from ethnic minority backgrounds, care experienced young people, young people in the criminal justice system, and young carers.
Key findings from the focus groups:
Members of the focus groups stated that they were grateful to have spent time with their family members during lockdown, although recognising the stresses that come with living and working together in a small space – reflecting the survey findings, with over four in five of respondents claiming to have a good relationship with their family.
While young people acknowledged that technology had helped them stay in touch with friends and families – participants with disabilities noted that some of the commonly used digital platforms were not always accessible to them, increasing anxiety, stress, and feelings of isolation.
Find out more information and to access the full survey report visit here. Visit this link for full information on the focus groups – and here for a summary.
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