Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with chronic health conditions

Crowe, Louise; Clarke, Cathriona; Hearps, Stephen; Pugh, Remy; Kilpatrick, Nicky; Branson, Emma; Payne, Jonathan M.; Haebich, Kristina M; McCloughan, Natalie; Kintakas, Christopher; Charles, Genevieve; Trajanovska, Misel; Hsieh, Ivy; Hartmann, Penelope L; King, Sebastian K.; Anderson, Nicholas; Anderson, Vicki

doi:10.1101/2021.08.10.21261816

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This research was part of a prospective, longitudinal cohort project, ‘COVID‐Resilience’, 24 conducted through the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne. This project was developed during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic, in response to the unique challenges faced during this time, when the longevity and impact of the pandemic was unknown.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID‐19 on the well‐being of Victorian children born with cleft lip and/or palate

Branson,

Collins,

McGrath

et al. 2023

Orthod Craniofacial Res

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BackgroundA longitudinal cohort study was established to investigate the well‐being of children born with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) during the COVID‐19 pandemic, in Victoria, Australia.Materials and MethodsThe Royal Children's Hospital cleft service database was used to identify children aged between 4 and 17 years old born with an isolated CL/P. Families of eligible children who consented to participate were asked to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) between October and December 2020 and again 6‐month later. SDQ results from typically developing Australian children during the COVID‐19 pandemic were utilized from a previously published study.Results63 parents completed the baseline questionnaire, with 44 completing the 6‐month follow‐up. For participants at baseline, the mean age was 8.9 years, with 55% male. All outcome domains of the SDQ improved between baseline and timepoint 2, with the difference in total difficulties scores being statistically significant, indicating a reduction in total difficulties at timepoint 2, associated with the easing of COVID‐19 restrictions. When compared with the Australian population during the COVID‐19 pandemic, Victorian children born with CL/P had lower SDQ scores for all difficulties outcome domains, with statistically significant results for conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and total difficulties, indicating fewer difficulties for children born with CL/P.ConclusionsChildren born with CL/P experienced fewer difficulties when compared with the typically developing Australian population during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The level of restrictions imposed because of the pandemic also had little influence on the well‐being of these children.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID‐19 on the well‐being of Victorian children born with cleft lip and/or palate

Branson,

Collins,

McGrath

et al. 2023

Orthod Craniofacial Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…This study forms part of a larger longitudinal prospective study investigating the mental health of children and adolescents with a chronic illness or neurodevelopmental condition during the COVID-19 pandemic [12].…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterising the Educational Experiences and Mental Health of Children with Pre-Existing Learning Difficulty or Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Catroppa,

Morrison,

Ryan

et al. 2023

COVID

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This prospective study sought to characterise the educational experiences, mental health, and behavioural functioning of Australian children with a pre-existing learning difficulty or specific learning disorder (SLD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also evaluated the potential role of parent psychological distress as a risk factor for poorer child functioning in this high-risk population. Using a prospective longitudinal design, the study involved 58 parents of children and adolescents with a pre-existing learning difficulty or specific learning disorder (M age = 11.9 years; range 7–17 years) who were initially referred to a state-wide diagnostic centre for specific learning disorders in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Child outcomes were assessed using the COVID-19 Wellbeing and Mental Health Survey (a modified version of the CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey [CRISIS] tool), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Emotional Distress Scale from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Parents’ mental health was assessed using the CRISIS tool and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). In keeping with initial predictions, a large proportion of parents expressed significant disruption to child educational experience and routines, including challenges related to child engagement in remote learning platforms during COVID-19. Compared to pre-pandemic mental health symptom ratings, children experienced significantly higher symptoms of worry, negative thoughts, loneliness, agitation, and aggression during the pandemic period (all p < 0.05). As expected, higher levels of parent distress predicted greater child worry symptoms (p = 0.003) and more frequent child behavioural difficulties (p = 0.004). These results help elucidate the specific psychological and educational challenges faced by children with pre-existing learning difficulty or SLD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Family-centred intervention and/or supports may help to address the unique educational and psychological needs of young people with pre-existing learning differences and their families during future global pandemics.

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Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with chronic health conditions

Cited by 2 publications

References 14 publications

The impact of COVID‐19 on the well‐being of Victorian children born with cleft lip and/or palate

The impact of COVID‐19 on the well‐being of Victorian children born with cleft lip and/or palate

Characterising the Educational Experiences and Mental Health of Children with Pre-Existing Learning Difficulty or Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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