How COVID-19 Changed Our Students

How COVID-19 Changed Our Students:
Research Insights and Practical Interventions for School-Based Professionals

By: Regina Dixon

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just disrupt classrooms and social lives—it interrupted crucial resilience development in a generation of adolescents. As children and youth emerged from isolation, educators and mental health professionals faced an alarming reality: many young people lacked the emotional tools needed to navigate challenges. 

Early adolescence represents a critical developmental window. When this period coincides with unprecedented global disruption, the consequences can echo for years to come. But there’s hope. By understanding how COVID affected youth resilience, we can implement targeted strategies to help them bounce back. 

This article explores the pandemic’s impact on adolescent development, shares evidence-based interventions, and offers practical resources for educators and counselors committed to rebuilding resilience in our youth. 

The Pandemic’s Developmental Impact

Critical Disruption at a Vulnerable Stage 

When the pandemic triggered nationwide lockdowns in March 2020, we immediately noticed its effects on healthcare, employment, and the economy. What received less attention was its profound impact on youth development.  

Resilience—the ability to adapt effectively to adversity—develops through experiences that were suddenly restricted (Sanson & Masten, 2024). Young people typically build social skills, emotional regulation, and self-worth through peer interactions, which quarantine severely limited (Wu & Xu, 2020). Without these experiences, development stalled in critical areas. 

This disruption was particularly damaging for preadolescents (ages 10-13) undergoing significant social, emotional, and biological development. These foundational skills form the basis for future growth and healthy adulthood (Flynn & Mathias, 2023). 

Evidence of Ongoing Challenges  

The pandemic’s psychological impact continues to affect children and youth today: 

• The National Center for Education Statistics reported that 87% of K-12 public schools observed COVID-19 negatively affected protective factors development during the 2021-22 school year (Institute for Education Sciences, 2022) 

• Cross-sectional research found significantly reduced resilience in children aged 2-12, leading to increased mental health concerns (Tso et al., 2022) 

• Middle schoolers specifically experienced decreased positive peer interactions, while high schoolers reported fewer negative interactions, indicating stage-specific vulnerability (Gadassi Polack et al., 2021) 

Ramalho et al. (2023) emphasized that without intervention, these effects could extend across generations, potentially impacting these students’ future parenting abilities. 

Key Areas of Concern 

Research has identified specific developmental deficits requiring targeted intervention: 

• Social-Emotional Skills: Difficulties with self-regulation, emotional awareness, and relationship building 

• Academic Performance: Learning gaps created by disrupted education 

• Technology Dependence: Overreliance on digital interaction at the expense of face-to-face skills 

• Mental Health: Increased anxiety, depression, and difficulty coping with stress 

• Problem-Solving Abilities: Reduced capacity to navigate challenges independently 

School-Based Response Challenges 

The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for school support systems: 

• School counselors report shifting from preventive to crisis-response approaches 

• Counseling departments face overwhelming caseloads beyond their capacity 

• Increased collaboration with external mental health professionals has become necessary 

• Educators require additional training in resilience-building techniques 

Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies 

Effective interventions must be multifaceted and tailored to students’ developmental needs. Research suggests the following best practices for educators and counselors: 

1  – Structured Psychological Skill-Building 

Four-week psychological courses offered in schools or community settings show significant improvements in adolescent resilience. Effective programs incorporate interactive elements like: 

• Personal sharing opportunities 

• Scenario-based games 

• Narrative storytelling techniques 

• Skills practice with feedback 

2  – Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Integration 

SEL curricula embedded within mainstream education enhance emotional regulation, resilience, and social connections. These programs should: 

• Be prioritized within the academic schedule 

• Include regular skills practice 

• Connect concepts across subject areas 

• Involve ongoing assessment 

3  – Technology Management Approaches 

Schools must address technology dependence through: 

• Clear, consistently enforced usage policies 

• Education about digital wellness and balance 

• Structured opportunities for face-to-face interaction 

• Monitoring for signs of technology addiction 

4  – Family and Community Involvement 

Research shows resilience development occurs within multisystemic networks (Gkatsa, 2023). Schools should: 

• Offer workshops for parents/guardians on supporting emotional health 

• Provide resources for home-based resilience building 

• Create community partnerships for expanded support 

• Establish regular communication channels about student wellbeing 

5  – Safe and Supportive Environments 

Creating psychologically safe spaces involves: 

• Promoting empathy and understanding among students and staff 

• Encouraging open communication about challenges 

• Building relationships based on trust and acceptance 

• Recognizing and celebrating resilience when demonstrated 

Implementation Framework 

For maximum effectiveness, interventions should be: 

• Age-appropriate: Research indicates younger adolescents respond better to interventions due to their developmental stage 

• Comprehensive: Addressing multiple resilience factors simultaneously 

• Consistent: Applied regularly across settings 

• Collaborative: Involving teachers, counselors, families, and community resources 

• Evidence-based: Utilizing approaches with research support 

• Regularly evaluated: Assessing outcomes and adjusting as needed 

Conclusion: Moving Forward with Intention 

The pandemic’s impact on our children and youth goes deeper than we realize. School counselors witnessed alarming changes when students returned from quarantine—struggling with basic social skills, impulse control, and academics. These aren’t just temporary setbacks; they represent critical gaps in resilience development during formative years. 

The good news? Support systems make all the difference. Students with strong connections to parents, teachers, and community resources showed better resilience. This highlights our collective responsibility—specialized social-emotional learning programs aren’t just helpful; they’re essential for recovery. 

As parents, educators, and community members, we face an unprecedented challenge. The strategies we implement today will shape not just academic outcomes, but the emotional wellbeing of an entire generation. How will you contribute to rebuilding youth resilience in your community? Together, we can ensure this generation not only recovers from pandemic disruptions but emerges stronger and more resilient than before.