To analyse the needs of adult learners suffering from long-term consequences of COVID-19, the survey has been performed among 70 adult educators from 8 EU countries. Most of the participants were from Italy, Netherlands, Lithuania and France (see Fig. 1) Participants were asked first to compare which social groups suffered most from the long-term consequences of COVID-19.
Figure 1. Participants’ country of residence
Participants were experienced educators. Most of them had experience in adult education, secondary and higher education, and developing online courses (see Figure 2).
Figure 2. Participants’ educational experience
The results indicate that senior citizens are perceived as the group that suffered most, followed by essential workers and medical personnel (see Figure 3). Families with children and young adults are perceived by adult educators as the groups that suffered from relatively less consequences of Corona. However, three groups were indicated among young adults who might be more seriously affected by the COVID regulation. These groups includes university students, expats and international students who were not able to visit their home countries during the quarantine, young adults suffering from special conditions (such as ADHD or emotional disorders).
Figure 3. Social groups that were affected the most from the negative consequences of COVID-19
When comparing specific negative consequences of COVID-19 for two target groups of project, senior citizens and young adults, participants found that for senior citizens the most negative experiences were being away from friends and family members, anxiety and fear of getting sick, long-term negative health consequences of Covid infection itself, and grief after the loss of family members and friends due to Covid (see Figure 4). Participants also mentioned obesity and increase in alcohol consumption, delays in health screening tests, and not being able to see grandchildren growing up because of the security rules.
For young adults, the most negative experiences were restrictions on social and cultural activities, being away from friends and family members, loneliness and depression (see Figure 4). Some participants also mentioned lack of privacy and delays in the achievement of educational and professional milestones, such as academic degrees, internships and professional advancement.
Figure 4. Negative consequences of COVID-19 for senior citizens and young adults
According to participants, the most important activities that can help to reduce negative consequences of Covid-19 crisis for health and wellbeing, include socialising with friends and family, visiting public spaces (restaurants, museums, theatres, libraries) and sport and physical activities (outdoor and indoor) (see Figure 5). Among educational activities that might help reduce the negative consequences of Corona, the following activities were mentioned most often: learning how to build resilience and positive thinking in self-help groups; learning how to deal with negative emotions (fear, grief, loneliness) in self-help groups; sharing experiences of loss and grief in self-help groups.
Following an online course on resilience, positive thinking and emotional management, as well as sharing negative emotions online were found less effective, which is understandable after two years of restrictions on all other activities.
Figure 5. Activities needed to reduce negative consequences of Covid-19
Among the skills that senior citizens need to build in order to cope with the long-term consequences of Corona adult educators most often mentioned maintaining healthy lifestyle (healthy eating and physical activity); resilience, coping with stress and grief, and positive thinking, mindfulness, and meditation skills.For young adults, the most important skills, according to adult educators, are also resilience, coping with stress and grief, digital skills for online education and, quite surprisingly, active listening skills and providing support to peers (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. Skills needed for senior citizens and young adults to cope with negative consequences of COVID-19
Participants were also asked to evaluate the importance of various abilities, knowledge and skills for adult educators in helping adult learners suffering from long-term consequences of Corona. The following skills were mentioned as the most important (see Figure 7): digital skills for online education and communicating via social media; active listening skills and providing support to adult learners; ability to co-create new solutions and share them with adult learners; practical knowledge of psychological tools and steps needed to build resilience. Some participants also mentioned reflective skills: being aware of one’s own difficulties and needs.
Figure 7. Professional skills needed for adult educators to help adult learners suffering from negative consequences of COVID-19
The results of the analysis show that resilience is considered one of the most important ways to cope with the negative consequences of COVID-19 for both our target groups.
Building resilience is evaluated as an important goal for adult education activity, one of the most important coping skills for both target groups, and as an important professional skill for adult educators themselves.
Therefore, we need to put resilience in the center of both project outputs: adult education program and open online course for young adults and senior citizens suffering from the negative consequences of Covid-19 crisis.
