COVID-19 Seen by Students: An Exploratory Study; [Как COVID-19 понимается в среде студенческой молодежи: поисковое исследование]

Objective. The aim of this article is to analyse the social representations of coronavirus in groups of young people. Background. The COVID-19 pandemic is the first experience for most of the world’s population: a new disease has emerged that is spreading rapidly across countries and continents, and humanity has nothing to counter the threat. The symbolic defences that are developed in response to this threat are the focus of the work. Study design. The study was conducted in two time periods corresponding to the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia (the first wave from June 18, 2020 to July 10, 2020 and the fourth wave from October 14, 2021 to December 7, 2021). Participants. A total of students aged 17 to 27 years (N = 242 subjects, 12,5% men). Measurements. The main method of the study was a questionnaire (the main technique — the method of free association). The questionnaire was presented in an online format. Results. A comparison of the structure and content of COVID-19 in young people (the first and fourth waves of the pandemic) suggests the emergence of the representation of COVID-19: a hierarchical organisation of elements in the case of the fourth wave. Conclusions. In the case of a COVID-19 pandemic, representatives of the youth milieu adopted a position that rationalises the threat and the fear associated with it. © 2023 The Author(s).