The Impact of COVID-19 on Peer Relationships: Insights from Classroom Social Networks

Yusuf Agus (1) , Betul Turkum (2, 3)

1 EUI - European University Institute
2 AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques
3 AMU - Aix Marseille Université

We analyze the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on classroom peer relationships using a unique field dataset collected from 3rd and 4th-grade students in Turkey. Using data from both pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts, we find significant changes in social interactions among the pandemic cohort after prolonged school closures. We observe varying effects contingent upon the nature of peer relationships. While friendship relationships deteriorated, some facets of academic support relationships among classmates display enhancement. However, this progress is exclusively observed among native students, as opposed to refugees. Additionally, we uncover significant improvements in inter-ethnicity and inter-gender relationships in classrooms after COVID-19.

Mots clés: Peer relationships; COVID-19; classroom social networks; refugees

Domaines: Economies et finances

Yusuf Agus, Betul Turkum. The Impact of COVID-19 on Peer Relationships: Insights from Classroom Social Networks. 2024. ⟨hal-04558680⟩