JuPaCo - Long-term psychosocial consequences for young people from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Project leader: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schröer

Research field

• Mental health of children and adolescents and their families

Who is involved?

• Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schröer (Project leader, UHI) 
• Dr. Severine Thomas (UHI)
• Prof. Dr. Claudia Equit (Leuphana)

What is the aim?

The JuPaCo project aims to assess the long-term consequences of the pandemic in terms of the psychosocial well-being and self-perceived health of young people aged 15-30. By analysing existing data, the importance of coping strategies as well as supporting relationships and resources of young people will be examined and complemented by further surveys on the current post-pandemic psycho-social situation of young people. A special focus in the JuPaCo project is on young people with exhausted or precarious parental support, such as young people growing up in residential groups or foster families.

Data from the nationwide quantitative studies JuCo I-IV on stresses and concerns of young people during the Corona pandemic (among others, University of Hildesheim) as well as data from the qualitative project JuPa-Quali “Enabling Social Participation of Young People in Alternative Care in Times of Pandemics” (Leuphana University Lüneburg) will be analysed in depth. Two crucial research gaps will be closed: Firstly, the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic for older adolescents and young adults will be analysed from the perspectives of social pedagogy and psychiatry. Secondly, on the basis of qualitative data, supporting structures as well as coping strategies will be examined in a longitudinal comparison over time.