Mental sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic in children with and without complex medical histories and their parents: well-being prior to the outbreak and at four time-points throughout 2020 and 2021

Abstract

The objective of this study is to understand the long-term mental sequelae for families over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic by longitudinally investigating the well-being of children with and without complex medical histories and their parents. Well-being of 200 children (between 7 and 18 years of age; 73 typically developing, 46 born very preterm, 73 with complex congenital heart disease) and 175 of their parents was assessed prior to and during the first (April–May 2020), second (October–November 2020), third (April–May 2021), and fourth wave (October–November 2021) of the pandemic with standardized questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to investigate longitudinal changes in child and parent well-being compared to before the pandemic. Social and COVID-19-specific determinants were investigated as predictors of impaired well-being. To illustrate clinical relevance, the proportion of children and parents scoring > 1 SD below normative mean/median was reported. Compared to before the pandemic, child proxy-reported well-being was lower during the first but not the second, third, and fourth waves. Child self-reported well-being was not lower during the pandemic compared to before. Parent well-being dropped during the first wave and remained low throughout the subsequent waves. Proxy-reported child and self-reported parent well-being was lower in families with sparse social support and poor family functioning. Parents of typically developing children reported lower well-being than parents of children born very preterm or with a complex congenital heart disease. In November 2021, 20% of children (both self- and proxy-report) and 24% of parents scored below the normal range compared to 11% (child self-report), 10% (child proxy-report), and 16% (parent self-report), respectively, before the pandemic. The pandemic continues to impact the well-being of parents of school-aged children with and without complex medical histories more than 1 year after its outbreak. Children’s well-being was specifically affected during the first wave of the pandemic and has recovered thereafter. Families with sparse social support and poor family functioning are particularly at risk for compromised well-being and support should be provided to them.

Temporal association of pre-pandemic perceived social support with psychological resilience and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with a history of injection drug use

“…The inverse associations between pre-pandemic perceived social support and negative mental health symptoms during the early pandemic period in this sample of people who have injected drugs is consistent with research in non-PWUD samples ( Ehrler et al, 2022 , Herzog et al, 2022 , Hill et al, 2021 , Lee et al, 2020 ; C. H. Wang et al, 2021 ; Xu et al, 2020 ). We also observed a temporal association between pre-pandemic perceived social support and psychological resilience during the early pandemic period for which prior evidence has been limited.…”

“…Many studies have demonstrated inverse associations between inter-pandemic perceived social support levels and various mental health symptoms during the pandemic ( Bik-Multanowska et al, 2022 , Iob et al, 2020 , McLean et al, 2022 , Rhubart and Kowalkowski, 2022 ). There is also some data demonstrating associations between greater perceived social support before the pandemic and a lower prevalence of mental health symptoms during the pandemic ( Ehrler et al, 2022 , Herzog et al, 2022 , Hill et al, 2021 , Lee et al, 2020 ; C. H. Wang et al, 2021 ; Xu et al, 2020 ). However, there remains limited data on the impact of pre- or inter-pandemic perceived social support on mental health following Big Events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, among PWUD.…”

Die psychische Gesundheit unserer Kinder und Jugendlichen und deren Behandlungsmöglichkeiten im Drei-Länder-Vergleich (Ö, D, CH) unter Berücksichtigung der Veränderungen durch die COVID-19-Pandemie

“…Eine Studie mit Schweizer Kinder und Jugendlichen zwischen sieben und 18 Jahren [6] zeigt ein etwas anderes Bild als die österreichischen und deutschen Studien. Während das Wohlbefinden der Schweizer Kinder und Jugendlichen in der ersten Coronawelle im April/Mai 2020 beeinträchtigt war, erholte sich laut Schweizer Daten das Wohlbefinden der Kinder und Jugendlichen im weiteren Verlauf der Pandemie.…”

“…Während das Wohlbefinden der Schweizer Kinder und Jugendlichen in der ersten Coronawelle im April/Mai 2020 beeinträchtigt war, erholte sich laut Schweizer Daten das Wohlbefinden der Kinder und Jugendlichen im weiteren Verlauf der Pandemie. Die Autor:innen führten die Ergebnisse darauf zurück, dass die Schulen in der Schweiz während der ers-ten Coronawelle geschlossen und alle Kinder und Jugendlichen im Homeschooling waren, während die Schweizer Schulen während aller folgenden Wellen offen blieben [6].…”

Child and adolescent psychiatry in the post-COVID era: lessons learned and consequences for the future

“…An important risk factor for a deterioration was belonging to a vulnerable group, e.g. those with pre-existing trauma, pre-existing mental health problems, lower socioeconomic status or financial difficulties, poor family functioning or low social support [ 3 , 4 , 10 ]. More exciting, some individuals seemed to show resilience to or even benefit from the pandemic if they reported reduced bullying, more sleep, and/or more exercise [ 7 ].…”