In the eyes of adolescents, is the pandemic an obstacle or a gain? A qualitative study based on the ecological theory

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to find out how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the lives of adolescents and their expectations about the future. METHODS: Data for the study was collected using a descriptive qualitative research design. The sample included 24 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17, who were recruited according to the purposive sampling method. The research questions and results were structured according to the Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory. Data were collected until saturation was achieved. NVivo 12 program was used to organize the data. The transcribed data were analyzed using the inductive thematic analysis method. FINDINGS: According to the adolescents' views on the pandemic, were identified twelve sub-themes connected to four main themes and twenty-four metaphor themes in accordance with the Ecological Theory. These were (a) Microenvironments, (b) Education and social life, (c) Ecological lifestyle, (d) Future expectations, and (e) metaphor themes about COVID-19. Moreover, adolescents reported negative opinions on all metaphors. Implications for practice: The restrictions applied as measures of control to the global pandemic mostly negatively affected the family and peer relations of adolescents, their academic and social lives, and their expectations about the future. This study demonstrates that it is possible to monitor the psychosocial development of adolescents according to the Ecological Theory. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Similar studies may be conducted based on the Ecological Theory to evaluate the development of adolescents after the pandemic.