Parents’ Views of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Generation Alpha: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is a turning point for Generation Alpha. This study was conducted to determine parents’ views of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their Generation Alpha children. Material and Method: This descriptive, comparative, and cross‐sectional study was conducted on 395 parents of Generation Alpha children between January 10 and March 10, 2021. Data were collected using a parent and child sociodemographic form and a questionnaire for generation alpha during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-test were used for analysis. Effect size was calculated using Cohen's d method. Results: Less than a quarter of the parents stated the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their children was “fear” (22.8%). Less than half the parents noted that the positive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their children was “togetherness” (39.5%). According to parents, their Generation Alpha children spent significantly more time on social media (t = -8.647, p<0.001, effect size = 0.70) and watching TV (t = -9.324, p<0.001, effect size = 0.70) during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic will shape the life and transform the characteristics of the members of Generation Alpha. Authorities should provide parents with training and counseling about Generation Alpha. Moreover, professionals and educators should provide Generation Alpha children with education and career guidance to help them shape their own future.

Keywords

• Child
• COVID-19
• generations
• pandemic
• parent

COVID-19 Pandemisinin Alfa Kuşağı Üzerindeki Etkisine İlişkin Ebeveyn Göürşleri: Tanımlayıcı Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: COVID-19 pandemisi, alfa kuşağı için bir dönüm noktasıdır. Bu çalışma, ebeveynlerin COVID-19 pandemisinin alfa kuşağı çocukları üzerindeki etkisine ilişkin görüşlerini belirlemek için yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu tanımlayıcı, karşılaştırmalı ve kesitsel araştırma, 10 Ocak- 10 Mart 2021 tarihleri arasında alfa kuşağı çocuğuna sahip 395 ebeveyn ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan “Ebeveyn ve Çocuk Sosyo-demografik Form” ve “COVID-19 Sürecinde Alfa Kuşağı Tanıtım Formu” ile toplanmıştır. Veri analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler ve eşleştirilmiş örneklem t testi kullanılmıştır. Etki büyüklüğü Cohen's d yöntemi ile hesaplanmıştır. Bulgular: Ebeveynlerin dörtte birinden azı, COVID-19 pandemisinin çocukları üzerindeki olumsuz etkisini “korku” olduğunu belirtmiştir (%22,8). Ebeveynlerin yarısından azı, COVID-19 pandemisinin çocukları üzerindeki olumlu etkisini “beraberlik” (%39,5) olduğunu belirtmiştir. Ebeveynlerine göre alfa kuşağının COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında bir günde sosyal medyada ve televizyonda harcadıkları zaman ortalamalarının COVID-19 pandemisi öncesine göre daha yüksek olduğu ve aradaki farkın istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğu belirlenmiştir, sırasıyla (t = -8,647, p < 0,001, etki büyüklüğü = 0,70; t = -9,324, p < 0,001, etki büyüklüğü = 0,70). Sonuç: COVID-19 sürecinin gelecekte alfa kuşağının yaşantısını şekillendireceği ve alfa kuşağının özelliklerini değiştirebileceği ifade edilebilir. Yetkililer, ebeveynlere alfa kuşağı hakkında eğitim ve danışmanlık sağlamalıdır. İlaveten, sağlık profesyonelleri ve eğitimciler, alfa kuşağı çocuklarına kendi geleceklerini şekillendirmelerine yardımcı olmak için eğitim ve kariyer rehberliği sağlamalıdır.

Keywords

• Çocuk
• COVID-19
• kuşaklar
• pandemi
• ebeveyn

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