Facilitators for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic: Online qualitative interviews comparing youth with and without disabilities

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly impacted people's mental health. Youth with disabilities are at particular risk for the psychological implications of the pandemic. Although much attention has been given to pandemic-related mental health challenges that youth have encountered, little is known about the facilitators for coping with the stresses of the pandemic and how this varies for youth with and without disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand facilitators for helping youth and young adults with and without disabilities to cope and maintain mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 34 youth and young adults (17 with a disability; 17 without), aged 16–29 (mean age 23.2). A narrative, thematic analysis of the transcripts was performed. RESULTS: Our findings revealed several similarities and some differences between youth and young adults 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 to youth and young adults 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.