COVID Generation: An Exploratory Analysis on the Impact of the Pandemic on the Relational Modes of Students from a School in Palermo

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically transformed social, educational, and economic life worldwide, with containment measures such as social isolation and school closures profoundly impacting relational dynamics and psychological well-being, especially among children and adolescents. Numerous studies have highlighted how the educational and social contexts were altered, with long-term implications still uncertain (Panchal et al., 2021). The school-age group, from 6 to 18 years old, is particularly vulnerable as, during this phase, the process of socialization is crucial for identity development and relational skills.

This research aims to investigate the relational modes of students in the post-pandemic context, analyzing changes in interactions with peers and teachers. Using a qualitative methodology and the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT), the study seeks to understand how the pandemic has influenced young students' perceptions of others and their psychological adaptation.