Adolescents’ experiences of social connection during lockdowns

Jordan, Declan and Hodge, Suzanne (2025) Adolescents’ experiences of social connection during lockdowns. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

This thesis explores adolescents’ relationships with digital technologies and their experiences of social connection during lockdowns. It comprises of a systematic literature review, a research paper and a critical appraisal. The literature review utilises a meta-ethnographic approach to synthesise findings across 25 qualitative papers looking at adolescent’s use of and relationships with social media and smartphones. In response to ongoing concerns and narratives around the increasing impact that digital technologies and their developers are having on the wellbeing of younger generations, focus was directed towards developing greater understanding around where control is felt to lie. In an effort to amplify younger voices and position them more centrally in the debate, adolescent reflections on factors that are thought to both enhance and diminish their personal agency were explored. Five themes capturing the complex and nuanced nature of adolescent’s relationships with digital technologies emerged. The research paper utilises a constructivist grounded theory informed approach to explore adolescent experiences of lockdown. Data from interviews with eight participants were analysed with five themes emerging that chart the course of their journey through lockdowns and subsequent reflections. From an initial stage of adjustment, through notable disruption to education, to emergence through the other side, themes reflect the shape and cadence of participants lockdown experiences. Finally, the critical appraisal summarises findings, reflects on challenges throughout the thesis, and suggests implications for clinical practice.