Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41146375›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Investigating the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on coastal communities in East Sussex, UK: a qualitative analysis.

Nigel Sherriff, Alexandra Sawyer, Laetitia Zeeman, Lester Coleman, Sarah Kennedy, Jane Thomas, Joanne Bernhaut, Teresa Salami-Oru, Darrell Gale

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Nigel SherriffSchool of Education, Sport, & Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK n.s.sherriff@brighton.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5657-5047
Alexandra SawyerSchool of Education, Sport, & Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7098-6467
Laetitia ZeemanSchool of Education, Sport, & Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7094-4304
Lester ColemanColeman Research and Evaluation Services, Hurstpierpoint, UK.
Sarah KennedySchool of Education, Sport, & Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9355-3223
Jane ThomasSchool of Education, Sport, & Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2206-4630
Joanne BernhautPublic Health Team, East Sussex County Council, Lewes, England, UK.
Teresa Salami-OruPublic Health Team, East Sussex County Council, Lewes, England, UK.
Darrell GalePublic Health Team, East Sussex County Council, Lewes, England, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveCOVID-19 led to significant economic and psychosocial impacts on individuals and their local communities. This research aimed to investigate the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on a diverse range of individuals living in coastal areas in East Sussex, UK, including adverse, unexpected and positive outcomes. DESIGN/

settingThis cross-sectional qualitative study used semistructured interviews conducted remotely between December 2020 and March 2021, referred to as the third lockdown. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify, describe, and analyse themes and patterns within the data.

participantsPurposive sampling was used to recruit 25 participants living in East Sussex, to include a range of ages (above 18 years), genders, race/ethnicities, identities (eg, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex) and social backgrounds.

resultsThe pandemic was described as a significant life-changing event, with people saying their plans had changed 'overnight' and that their life was 'on hold' or it had lost its 'infrastructure' during the pandemic. Immediate changes to social lives, education, future plans, work, and housing were evident. These changes were felt particularly by those shielding (due to underlying health conditions) and people placed in emergency accommodation. Significant areas of impact were around family, friends, leisure, mental health, health-related behaviours, and employment. Some participants reflected on positive impacts around an increased sense of well-being or the restrictions affording time and flexibility to re-engage with their families. Adverse impacts around reduced friendship groups and the disruption to family life were often mitigated by developing strategies that helped adapt to new situations.

conclusionsResidents of coastal areas in East Sussex were impacted widely and differentially. Both positive and challenging impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic were experienced unequally, potentially exacerbating health inequalities in coastal communities who were already at risk. Long-term strategies should consider the vulnerabilities of people living in coastal areas in planning for future health crises.

Indexed as

COVID-19AdolescentAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2United KingdomYoung AdultCOVID-19MENTAL HEALTHPublic health

Identifiers

PMID41146375
PMCPMC12557726

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.