No increase in psychosocial stress of Dutch children with cancer and their caregivers during the first months of the COVID‐19 pandemic

Gorp, Marloes van; Maurice‐Stam, Heleen; Teunissen, Charlotte E.; Meer, Wietske van de Peppel – van der; Huussen, Maaike; Meeteren, Antoinette Y. N. Schouten–van; Grootenhuis, Martha A.

doi:10.1002/pbc.28827

Cited by 44 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Many studies aim to predict how lockdown measures will flatten the pandemic curve, but few studies focus on the psychosocial impacts of these interventions on children and their families [5,[45][46][47][48][49][50][51]. As public health experts focus on reducing the spread of COVID-19 infections, it is imperative that they also focus on addressing the psychosocial needs of children.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial health of school-aged children during the initial COVID-19 safer-at-home school mandates in Florida: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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Background Given the emerging literature regarding the impacts of lockdown measures on mental health, this study aims to describe the psychosocial health of school-aged children and adolescents during the COVID-19 Safer-at-Home School mandates. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2020 (n = 280) among K-12 students at a research school in North Central Florida. Bivariate analysis and logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine socio-demographic and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) predictors of indicators of anxiety-related, depressive, and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)-related symptoms. Outcomes (anxiety, OCD, and depressive related symptoms) were measured by indices generated based on reported symptoms associated with each psychosocial outcome. Results Loss of household income was associated with increased risk for all three index-based outcomes: depressive symptoms [aOR = 3.130, 95% CI = (1.41–6.97)], anxiety-related symptoms [aOR = 2.531, 95%CI = (1.154–5.551)], and OCD-related symptoms [aOR = 2.90, 95%CI = (1.32–6.36)]. Being female was associated with being at higher risk for depressive symptoms [aOR = 1.72, 95% CI = (1.02–2.93)], anxiety-related symptoms [aOR = 1.75, 95% CI = (1.04–2.97)], and OCD-related symptoms [aOR = 1.764, 95%CI = (1.027–3.028)]. Parental practices protective against COVID-19 were associated with children being at higher risk of depressive symptoms [aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = (1.04–2.31)]. Lower school level was associated with children being at higher risk of anxiety-related and OCD-related symptoms. Conclusions As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, schools should prioritize mental health interventions that target younger, female students, and children of families with income loss. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 through school closure may exacerbate negative psychosocial health outcomes in children, thus school administrators should move quickly to target those at greatest risk.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial health of school-aged children during the initial COVID-19 safer-at-home school mandates in Florida: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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“…A possible explanation for this finding may be that these children are more often confronted with stressful events that directly affect their physical health and restraints in daily life due to the management of their disease. As a result, children may have developed more adaptive coping strategies 21,22 . In addition, one could speculate that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown induced changes in daily life might be less invasive for some of these children as home schooling and carefully taking care of one's physical health may be part of life already 21 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, children may have developed more adaptive coping strategies 21,22 . In addition, one could speculate that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown induced changes in daily life might be less invasive for some of these children as home schooling and carefully taking care of one’s physical health may be part of life already 21 . Likewise, they may be more used to having online contact with friends, which may explain their higher reported Peer Relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The literature on the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown in children with a (chronic) somatic condition (pediatric population) is also limited. A recent study has shown that psychosocial stress in children and adolescents with cancer did not increase during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands 21 . Additionally, adolescents with cystic fibrosis reported lower anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to their healthy peers 22 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Mental and social health of children and adolescents with pre-existing mental or somatic problems during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

Zijlmans

Teela

Ewijk

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: The COVID-19 lockdown increases psychological problems in children and adolescents from the general population. Here we investigate the mental and social health during the COVID-19 lockdown in children and adolescents with pre-existing mental or somatic problems. Method: We included participants (8-18 years) from a psychiatric (N = 249) and pediatric (N = 90) sample, and compared them to a general population sample (N = 844). Measures were assessed during the first lockdown (April-May 2020) in the Netherlands. Main outcome measures were Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domains: Global Health, Peer Relationships, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Anger, and Sleep-Related Impairment. Additionally, socio-demographic variables, COVID-19-related questions, changes in atmosphere at home from a parent and child perspective, and children's experiences of lockdown regulations were assessed. Results: On all measures except Global Health, the pediatric sample reported least problems. The psychiatric sample reported significantly more problems than the general population sample on all measures except for Anxiety and Peer Relationships. Having a COVID-19 affected friend/relative and a COVID-19 related change in work situation negatively moderated outcome, but not in the samples with pre-existing problems. All parents reported significant decreases in atmosphere at home, as did children from the general population. Conclusion: We observed significant differences in mental and social health between three child and adolescent samples during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and identified COVID-19-related factors influencing mental and social health. Our findings contribute to current and future policies during pandemic related lockdowns regarding the mental and social health of children and adolescents.

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“…This has made parents of children with cancer already experiencing high levels of stress extremely worried about the possible consequences of cancer and the outbreak [ 25 ]. Additional psychosocial stress may reduce their QOL and increase fatigue [ 26 ]. A study conducted in the United Kingdom showed that parents with children with cancer believe that their children are at a higher risk of infection compared to their healthy peers [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality of life and occupational performance of children with cancer in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of rehabilitation

2021

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Purpose This study was designed to determine the changes in the quality of life (QOL) and occupational performance of children with cancer and to examine their rehabilitation needs during the pandemic period in Turkey. Methods 60 children with cancer and their families participated in the study. The first and second assessments were carried out in April and September 2020, respectively. The pediatric quality of life inventory parent proxy-report was used to evaluate the QOL, and the Canadian occupational performance measurement was used to evaluate children’s occupational performance and satisfaction. A qualitative interview was planned to determine the impact of the pandemic on children with cancer alongside their families and therefore determining the rehabilitation needs of the children. Results While there is no statistically significant change in the pain-related conditions of the children in the first six months of the pandemic ( p > 0.05), procedural and treatment anxieties of the children increased during the treatment. Their QOL including cognitive state, perceived physical appearance and communication skills also showed a statistically significant decrease ( p < 0.05). Both the occupational performance and satisfaction scores decreased significantly, covering the pre-pandemic and pandemic era ( p < 0.01). In the qualitative interview parents expressed their children's need for physical, psychological and social participation support. Also, they emphasized the need for time management. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, the QOL and occupational performance level of children with cancer decreased significantly. Holistic rehabilitation approaches complying with pandemic conditions are likely to benefit these children. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11136-021-02857-7.

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No increase in psychosocial stress of Dutch children with cancer and their caregivers during the first months of the COVID‐19 pandemic

Cited by 44 publications

References 26 publications

Psychosocial health of school-aged children during the initial COVID-19 safer-at-home school mandates in Florida: a cross-sectional study

Psychosocial health of school-aged children during the initial COVID-19 safer-at-home school mandates in Florida: a cross-sectional study

Mental and social health of children and adolescents with pre-existing mental or somatic problems during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

Quality of life and occupational performance of children with cancer in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of rehabilitation

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