Practitioner review: health anxiety in children and young people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Health-related fear is a normal and common response in the face of the global pandemic of COVID-19. Children and young people are frequently being exposed to messages about the threat to health, including from the media and authorities. Whilst for most, their anxiety will be proportionate to the threat, for some, existing preoccupation with physical symptoms and illness will become more problematic. There is a growing body of evidence that health anxiety may occur in childhood, however much of the literature is taken from research using adult samples. Aims This practitioner review aims to give an overview of the assessment and treatment of health-related worries in children and young people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review is based on the limited existing evidence in this population and the more substantial evidence base for treating health anxiety in adults. We consider the adaptations needed to ensure such interventions are developmentally appropriate.

Worry during the initial height of the COVID-19 crisis in an Italian sample

“…These findings may be understood by the higher emotional control of adults as a result of higher awareness to maximize positive experiences through reappraisal strategies and individual control over emotions (Carstensen, 1991(Carstensen, , 1995Gould & Edelstein, 2010). Haig-Ferguson, Cooper, Cartwright, Loades, & Daniels (2020) reported that young people had been exposed to a major global threat for the first time (Haig-Ferguson et al, 2020). Thus, emerging adults could experience high worry related to school or work (Gould & Edelstein, 2010;Lindesay et al, 2006) and finances (Lindesay et al, 2006;Powers, Wisocki, & Whitbourne, 1992), increasing concerns due to the pandemic and its consequences on their uncertain career and future planning (Gonçalves & Byrne, 2013).…”

Measuring COVID-19-Related Stress Among 4th Through 12th Grade Students

“…School psychologists can teach mindfulness strategies that have been shown to reduce negative responses to stress (Mendelson et al, 2010). Additionally, school psychologists can utilize cognitive behavioral therapy to help students more accurately interpret information and manage emotions and behaviors could be extremely beneficial (Haig-Ferguson et al, 2020). School psychologists can utilize social-emotional screening to identify students most in need of more intensive interventions, and ideally involve families and communities to provide additional sources of support to students.…”

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Health-Related Anxiety in Youth amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Understanding and Weathering the Continuing Storm

“…In novel situations where uncertainty and ambiguity are rampant, children are especially vulnerable to developing maladaptive reactions to stress. The COVID-19 pandemic and the increased media coverage likely serve as "critical incidents" for accelerating health-related anxieties (Haig-Ferguson et al, 2020). Experts predict a surging number of young people-seeking clinical care for various behavioral health concerns during the peri-and post-pandemic period (Fegert et al, 2020;Golberstein et al, 2020;Loades et al, 2020;Marques de Miranda et al, 2020;Sanderson et al, 2020;Simon et al, 2020;Abbott, 2021).…”