A systematic review of adolescents’ relationships with siblings, peers, and romantic partners during the COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

AbstractStudies on the pandemic suggest that COVID is related to many facets of adolescent development (i.e., Golberstein et al., JAMA Pediatrics, 174(9), 819–820, 2020). Although the full consequences of COVID on social, economic, and health outcomes are not yet fully known, the impact is predicted to be long-lasting (Prime et al., American Psychologist, 75(5), 631–643, 2020). This paper is a systematic review that focuses on the COVID pandemic’s change in adolescents’ relationships with their siblings, peers, and romantic partners, as well as the role of these relationships in helping adolescents navigate through the uncertainties of this period. Studies from several different countries were selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist (Page et al., International Journal of Surgery, 88, 105906, 2021). Overall, the findings are mixed, with some results showing no change or relationship between COVID and each of the adolescent relationships examined, while other results indicated significant positive and/or negative changes or relationships. We hope our review of this growing body of literature will provide guidance and recommendations for researchers moving forward with specific studies examining the change in adolescents’ relationships with siblings, peers, and romantic partners- and the roles of these relationships during the COVID pandemic.