Date

10-14-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Albert Pace

Keywords

adolescence, COVID-19 pandemic, Hispanic young adults, IPA

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of adolescents during a critical part of social, emotional, and identity development. Although previous research has noted the immediate effects of the pandemic on adolescents, limited research has examined the long-term impact on individuals who experienced the pandemic during adolescence and are now transitioning into adulthood. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Hispanic young adults who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic as adolescents and to understand how those experiences influenced their social and personal development as they transitioned into adulthood. Participants included 10 Hispanic young adults who resided in Hidalgo County, Texas during the onset of the pandemic. Data were collected through semi-structured virtual interviews and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Five overarching themes emerged from the data: Disruption of Adolescent Development, Emotional Distress and Uncertainty, Lasting Changes in Social Development, Identity Development, and Personal Growth and Adaptation. The findings suggest that participants experienced lasting developmental effects that extended beyond the immediate public health crisis while also demonstrating resilience and personal growth. The study contributes to the understanding of the long-term developmental impact of the pandemic among Hispanic young adults and provides implications for developmental psychology, psychological practice, education, and future research involving adolescents affected by large-scale disruptions.

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