Potential psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on children: a scoping review of pandemics and epidemics

Abstract

Background Physical distancing and health measures, such as school closures and work-at-home mandates, implemented to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, will likely have far-reaching impacts on children’s psychosocial health and well-being. We aimed to examine extant literature on pandemics and epidemics to draw comparisons regarding COVID-19 on children’s psychosocial health and secondary outcomes, including nutritional, financial and child safety outcomes. Methods Articles were searched within the Medline, Global Health, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases on 11 June 2020. Grey literature was also examined from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) until 24 July 2020. Results A total of 8,332 articles were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. Of these, 7,919 and 413 articles were from academic databases and additional sources, respectively. Results on child outcomes were extracted and collated. Seventy-three articles met inclusion criteria. Children have faced significant challenges with 12% of articles indicating loneliness/depression, 19% anxiety, 7% grief, 10% stress-related disorders, 25% child abuse, 8% family conflict, and 12% stigma during pandemics/epidemics. Furthermore, 25% of articles indicated economic challenges, 23% negative academic impacts, 33% improper nutrition, and 21% reduced opportunities for play/increased screen time. These challenges were exacerbated among children who were female, have a disability, or who were a migrant/displaced child. Conclusions Pandemics and epidemics have had diverse and widespread negative consequences for children. Findings can inform the development and implementation of resources during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect child health and well-being.

Gender-Based Violence in the Asia-Pacific Region during COVID-19: A Hidden Pandemic behind Closed Doors

“…For adolescents and children, school closures meant they were cut off from their usual social network and protection mechanisms, rendering them more at risk and less obvious if they became victims of violence, exploitation, or even child marriages. Child marriage and trafficking were identified as effects of the 2013–2015 Ebola epidemic [ 49 ], and it is estimated that up to 10 million more girls will be at risk of becoming child brides over the next decade as a result of COVID-19 [ 50 ]. In addition to children and youth, marginalised groups such as ethnic minorities, disabled, the elderly, and LGBTQI were noted in our interviews as especially vulnerable and often neglected in health services and communications outreach.…”

Potential indirect impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on children: a narrative review using a community child health lens

“…Increased family conflict and negative impacts on parent-child relationships were evident during previous pandemics. 30 Marital dissatisfaction and divorce increases following natural disasters, due to increased stress and mental health difficulties, and disrupted external social support. 71 During COVID-19 restrictions, increases in caregiver stress are likely to decrease caregiving capacity.…”

“…The risk of child abuse and neglect increases during pandemics, due to increased stress and isolation for families and reduced access to support. 30,73 COVID-19 restrictions (eg, school closures 74 and job losses 75 ) are expected to have led to increased levels of family violence and child maltreatment. 13,14,16,76 The risk is greater among children experiencing adversity, 77 with reduced access to child protection services 74 and restricted child welfare visits.…”

“…There appear to be serious negative impacts on children's mental health during pandemics; [28][29][30] however, longitudinal research investigating the longer term impacts is lacking. 31 After the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, 30% of children who experienced isolation (in the United States, Mexico and Canada) met the threshold for post-traumatic stress disorder, increasing to nearly 86% for those whose parents met the threshold.…”

“…Pandemics are related to increased rates of improper nutrition and dramatic changes in children's play. 30 Sports centres and Missed routine child health checks may lead to lower rates of children being identified as experiencing developmental delays. 14 Alternately, there is evidence of improvements in childhood asthma outcomes, 51 decreased incidence of influenza 52, 53 and enterovirus and norovirus infections, 54 and possible reductions in preterm birth rates.…”