| dc.description.abstract | Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic affected
international students around the world,
including the Sri Lankan undergraduate and
post-graduate students who were studying in
the UK, and they were repatriated to Sri Lanka
by the government last May. The current study
aimed to explore and understand the impact
on behaviour and psychological changes on
this youth and young adult group of being
under lockdown in the UK, repatriation,
quarantine processes and self-isolation, as
well as the experience during the journey from
the UK to Sri Lanka. This qualitative study was
planned and conducted in a quarantine
environment based on the lived experiences of
investigators, who were also students
repatriated back to Sri Lanka from the UK due
to COVID-19 pandemic, which is also the
significance of this study. A convenient sample
of sixteen (16) students (age ranged from 18 –
34) participated in the study. Data was
collected using three investigative methods:
questionnaires, researcher’s objective
observations and semi-structured interviews
(over the phone or online). Data analysis was
done using thematic analysis method. There
were three preliminary themes that emerged
from the study: (1) Fear, worry and anxiety,
(2) Adherence to safety precautions, and (3)
Agitation. Findings indicate that the abrupt
changes to their education and day-to-day
lifestyles, perceived stigma and emotional
imbalance during this stressful situation
caused psychological as well as behavioural
challenges and difficulty in coping among this
group. Findings highlight the need for
addressing their age-specific psychological
needs when developing guidelines to manage
similar situations in the future and to increase
resilience. | en_US |
