From being trapped to breaking through: manifestations of cabin fever in young people in response to COVID-19 and suggestions for adaptation

ABSTRACT COVID-19 affects the physiology and significantly impacts the psychology and emotions of young people. In response to continuous home quarantine, young people suffer from cabin fever due to long-term exposure to negative emotions, such as fear and anxiety. This study adopted qualitative research methods and followed an interpretive analysis paradigm to conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 young people suffering from cabin fever. The study found that vicarious trauma, nihilism, severe procrastination, confusion, helplessness, depression, compulsion, anxiety, and irritability were the primary manifestations of cabin fever in the young people. Based on the environment-individual interaction model (EIIM) of the cultivation of resilience, and highlighting the dimensions of acceptance and coexistence, coexistence and trust, stability and empathy, mindfulness and self-control, and self-discipline and adaptation, this paper proposes a specific method for young people’s adaptation to cabin fever.