1. Introduction: Why Another Study on COVID-19 and Youth? Introduction to the YO-VID22 Project Main Publication

Authors

Andrej Naterer
University of Maribor, Faculty of Arts
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5947-8808
Dunja Potočnik
Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1256-2660
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18690/um.ff.7.2025.1

Synopsis

The introductory chapter outlines the methodological design and rationale of the YO-VID22 project, which investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth well-being and support structures in Croatia and Slovenia. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study combined large-scale quantitative nationally representative surveys with qualitative methods, which included focus groups, expert interviews, and media content analysis. Quantitative data were collected through stratified online surveys on nationally representative samples of 16-29-year-olds, which enabled comparisons with pre-pandemic datasets. Qualitative components provided more profound insights into lived experiences, institutional responses, and public discourse surrounding youth. Focus groups captured peer-based dynamics and shared cultural values, while expert interviews highlighted systemic adaptations and policy gaps. At the same time, media analysis revealed shifting portrayals of young people in the public sphere. This integrated research design ensured both statistical robustness and contextual richness, and offered comprehensive evidence for understanding youth experiences during the pandemic and informing future policy and academic debates.

Author Biographies

Andrej Naterer, University of Maribor, Faculty of Arts

Dr. Andrej Naterer, is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the Department of Sociology, University of Maribor. His research focuses on children and youth, youth deviance and delinquency, and small-scale communities. He has participated in over 20 projects as a manager, researcher, or consultant. His work primarily employs qualitative methods, content analysis, and anthropological approaches. He is the author of numerous scientific books and articles and editor of the Subcultures series. He is a researcher at the Centre for the Study of Post-Socialist Societies (CePSS) and a member of several professional associations and international editorial boards.

Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: andrej.naterer@um.si

Dunja Potočnik, Institute for Social Research in Zagreb

Dr. Dunja Potočnik, is a Senior Research Associate in sociology at the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, where she has worked since 2003. With over 20 years of experience, her research focuses on youth employment, social inclusion, well-being, migration, and ICT. She has participated in more than 40 research and expert projects, co-authored six and edited six books, and published numerous papers. Since 2010, she has been a member of the Pool of European Youth Researchers and currently serves on its Advisory Group. She is also a member of the European Commission’s Expert Group on research and innovation.

Zagreb, Croatia. E-mail: dunja@idi.hr

 

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Volume

Two Countries, One Crisis: The YO-VID22 Pandemic Study

Pages

5-18

Published

September 3, 2025

Categories

Copyright (c) 2025 University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press

License

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Naterer, A., & Potočnik, D. (2025). 1. Introduction: Why Another Study on COVID-19 and Youth? Introduction to the YO-VID22 Project Main Publication. In A. Naterer & D. Potočnik (Eds.), Two Countries, One Crisis: The YO-VID22 Pandemic Study (pp. 5-18). University of Maribor Press. https://doi.org/10.18690/um.ff.7.2025.1