Facilitators for Coping With the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparing Youth With and Without Disabilities

ABSTRACT

Research Objectives To understand the facilitators for helping youth with and without disabilities to cope and maintain mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design A descriptive design using in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews with a narrative thematic analysis. Setting Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada which was considered a hot zone for COVID-19 cases and deaths. Participants A purposive sample of 34 youth (17 with a disability;17 without) aged 16-29 (mean age 23.2). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Interviews with participants Results Our findings revealed several similarities and some differences between youth with and without disabilities regarding facilitators for maintaining mental health during the pandemic. Enablers of coping included (1) social support, (2) financial support, (3) keeping busy (i.e., having a daily routine, working to keep the mind occupied, volunteering to boost mental health, focusing on school work), and (4) work-life balance (i.e., reduced commute, more time for exercising, going outdoors, cooking, sleeping better, and reflection on life's purpose). Conclusions Our findings highlight how having coping strategies could help youth to deal with pandemic-related stress. Youth with disabilities may need some additional support in accessing resources, exercising and going outdoors to help enhance their coping strategies. Author(s) Disclosures None.