Youngsters in times of corona
The lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic affects all Dutch people. Young people and children are hit particularly hard. At an important stage in their lives, they find themselves in a crisis whose impact, scope, and depth we do not know. Nor do we know in what way society will bounce back again. This creates a lot of uncertainty.
Whatever phase in life a young person is in (final exam candidate, school leaver, student, or starter on the labor market) and wherever they are in their development, the coronavirus measures have an expected effect on work, income, education, personal development and relationships, financial situation, and of course also on the mental state of young people. The situation leads to increased inequality within this generation, for example, because of the differences in which parental help can be called upon.
Together with its partners, Tilburg University uses research and expertise to look for solutions. What prospects can we offer young people to prevent long-term unemployment, dropping out of school, (chronic) psychological problems, and other issues? In short: how do we prevent the emergence of a coronavirus generation?
Tilburg University joins the quest for answers
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Ton Wilthagen
Labor marketHow can we prevent a coronavirus generation?
Young people (aged 16-27 years) are particularly badly affected. At an important stage in their lives, they find themselves in a crisis whose impact, extent, and depth we do not know, nor how society will bounce back. There is an expected impact on work, income, education, personal development and relationships, financial situation, and of course on the mental state of young people. What can we do to prevent the negative side effects? - Ton Wilthagen
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Loes Keijsers
Developmental psychologyHow can we support young people?
Due to the coronavirus crisis, young people are no longer able to go to school as they used to, they have to stay at home in most cases, and they cannot meet up with their friends. Research conducted by Loes Keijsers has resulted in the development of the "Grow It! –App." This app stimulates young people to better understand their feelings and gives them tools to deal with depression. Grow it! also sends users short questionnaires to measure their emotions at that particular moment.
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Hedwig van Bakel
Academic Collaborative Center Youth, TranzoWhat factors can buffer negative effects on family life?
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed family life. Hedwig van Bakel’s project “Child, conflict, and crisis: comparative study across the globe of the impact of COVID-19 containment measures on family life” researches and compares the effects of COVID-19 containment measures on parental response and the role of individual, family, and contextual factors in 40 Western and non-Western countries.
'Focus on Impact'
Tilburg University's Impact Program connects with social partners from various fields to bring society further. By working together we develop new insights and solutions for the challenges of individuals and society in the 21st century.
Podcast series
In the Focus on Impact Podcast series researchers and social partners share stories, results and insights from current research and themes.
Ton Wilthagen in podcast about the developments in the labor market
In the first episode of the “Youth in times of Corona” series, professor Ton Wilthagen discusses developments in the labor market. We see that especially young people are hit hard. They cannot find a job or lose the job they previously had. Research shows that this can have a lasting negative effect on their career and society, even when corona times are over. What needs to change in society to tackle this problem? Ton Wilthagen offers his perspective and makes a number of concrete proposals.
[Podcast is only available in Dutch]
Loes Keijsers in podcast about mental health problems of youngsters
With the Grow It! app and her research, Keijsers tries to give youngsters tools for dealing with depression. Because youngsters have fallen out of their rhythm and spend less time with their social contacts, the chance of depression has increased. The Grow It! app is a serious game that encourages youngsters to improve their mental health through daily challenges.
[Podcast is only available in Dutch]
Jolanda Mathijssen and Lian Smits in podcast on social partnerships and youth care
In this third and final podcast of this season, Jolanda Mathijssen of Tranzo and Lian Smits of Sterk Huis discuss the effects of corona on youngsters in vulnerable home situations and youth care. In some cases, the consequences and measures of corona complicate the work that is done for youngsters. What is striking is that new insights are also emerging that offer more options to care providers and researchers.
The 'New Common'
The corona crisis has compounded major societal challenges. Tilburg University shares knowledge and insights to reshape our society. We are happy to discuss this New Common.