The effects of COVID‐19 on child mental health: Biannual assessments up to April 2022 in a clinical and two general population samples

Zijlmans, Josjan; Tieskens, Jacintha M.; Oers, Hedy A. van; Alrouh, Hekmat; Luijten, Michiel A. J.; Groot, Rowdy de; Doelen, Daniël van der; Klip, Helen; Lans, Rikkert M. van der; Meyer, Ronald De; Mheen, Malindi van der; Ruisch, I. Hyun; Berg, Gert van den; Bruining, Hilgo; Buitelaar, Jan K.; Rijken, Rachel van der; Hoekstra, Pieter J.; Kleinjan, Marloes; Lindauer, Ramón; Oostrom, Kim J.; Vermeiren, Robert; Cornet, Ronald; Haverman, Lotte; Popma, Arne; Bartels, Meike; Polderman, Tinca J. C.

doi:10.1002/jcv2.12150

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…This is in line with previous findings that showed poorer child mental health during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic (Adegboye et al, 2021; Cost et al, 2022; Crandal et al, 2022; Gilsbach, Herpertz-Dahlmann, & Konrad, 2021; Lopez-Serrano et al, 2021; J. Zijlmans et al, 2021; Josjan Zijlmans et al, 2023) and is potentially partially due to true effects of the pandemic on youth care. A substantial portion of child mental health care had to transition into telehealth early in the pandemic due to social distancing measures (Folk et al, 2022; Palinkas et al, 2021; Revet et al, 2023).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

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Changes in internalizing and externalizing problems in Dutch children and adolescents receiving youth care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Broek,

De Meyer,

van der Rijken

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic had serious effects on the mental health of children and adolescents. However, it is unclear how the pandemic may have affected treatment effects and outcomes in youth care. We investigated if treatment effects and externalizing and internalizing problems of children and adolescents receiving youth care were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe used data from children and adolescents in youth care (N= 1,090,Mage= 12.85 (SD= 2.83; range = 8-18 years)). Internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed at the start and end of treatment using the Child Behavior Checklist. We inspected change in internalizing and externalizing problems and clinical status at the end of treatment to investigate treatment effects, and the level of problems at the start and end of treatment. Outcomes were compared between three groups: children treated entirely before the COVID-19 pandemic, children who experienced the transition into COVID-19 measures during treatment, and children treated entirely during the pandemic.ResultsWe did not find evidence that the pandemic affected treatment effectiveness. However, fewer children who were treated during the pandemic recovered from externalizing problems compared to children treated before the pandemic. Children who received treatment entirely during the pandemic also showed more internalizing and externalizing problems at both the start and end of their treatment, and children who experienced the transition into the pandemic showed elevated externalizing problems at both timepoints.ConclusionsAlthough the change in internalizing and externalizing problems from start to end of treatment was not affected by the pandemic, our findings that children are entering and leaving care with more problems suggest that child mental health has deteriorated since the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…This includes both internalizing and externalizing problems (Adegboye et al, 2021; Cost et al, 2022; Lopez-Serrano et al, 2021; J. Zijlmans et al, 2021; Josjan Zijlmans et al, 2023). These studies seem to suggest poorer mental health outcomes in these vulnerable children during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in internalizing and externalizing problems in Dutch children and adolescents receiving youth care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Broek,

De Meyer,

van der Rijken

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Quarantine, social distancing, physical restrictions, school closures, indoor activities, and sports limitations have certainly provoked abrupt effects on children's psychosocial and mental health [24][25][26]. Evidence from the literature and data from realworld medicine support the hypothesis that emotional and behavioral symptoms persisted even after the first phase of the pandemic [27][28][29]. A remarkable role was played by the virus, which has been shown to interact with the central nervous system directly and indirectly, bringing on acute and persistent symptoms that may impair a child's quality of life [11,12,[30][31][32][33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropsychological Symptoms and Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children: A Survey in a Pediatric Population in the Abruzzo Region, Italy

Marcotullio,

Attanasi,

Porreca

et al. 2024

Children

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Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly affected the pediatric population. Long-term sequelae (Long COVID-19) may particularly involve the central nervous system, with possible effects on psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL), aspects that were already influenced by the restrictive measures and general social impact of the pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey that aims at investigating the neuropsychological effects and the QoL impairment of SARS-CoV-2 on a cohort of children and adolescents in the Abruzzo region (Italy). A questionnaire was submitted to caregivers with the help of the PEDIATOTEM platform. A control group of healthy subjects was also included to distinguish between the effects of infection from the general influence of the pandemic. Results: A total of 569 subjects responded: 396 COVID-19 patients (99 of whom had Long COVID-19) and 111 controls. After the pandemic, when compared with the COVID-19 group, the controls reported significantly increased appetite, sleeping habits, and time spent remotely with friends and a reduction in physical activity and time spent in person with friends. A significant higher rate of controls asked for psychological/medical support for emotional problems. On the other hand, the Long COVID-19 group showed more fatigue and emotional instability with respect to non-Long-COVID-19 subjects. No differences in QoL results (EuroQOL) were found between the COVID-19 patients and controls, while the Long-COVID-19 subgroup showed significantly higher rates of pain/discomfort and mood instability, as confirmed by the analysis of variation of responses from the pre-COVID-19 to the post-COVID-19 period. Conclusions: Among COVID-19 patients, neuropsychological and QoL impairment was more evident in the Long COVID-19 subgroup, although emotional and relational issues were also reported by uninfected patients, with a growing request for specialist support as a possible consequence of social restriction.

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“…There is a need for intervention strategies in primary school children to address the well-established low levels of motor competence and poor mental health and wellbeing which declined further as immediate and persisting consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown measures [ 1 , 12 ], even after they ended [ 6 , 20 , 21 ]. Schools are suitable settings for the promotion of child health and wellbeing [ 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Move Well, Feel Good: Feasibility and acceptability of a school-based motor competence intervention to promote positive mental health

Fairclough,

Clifford,

Foweather

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background In response to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown measures Move Well, Feel Good (MWFG) was developed as a school intervention using improvement of motor competence as a mechanism for promoting positive mental health. Study objectives were to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of MWFG and to describe changes in child-level outcomes. Methods Five northwest England primary schools were recruited. MWFG was delivered over 10-weeks through physical education (PE) lessons, which were supplemented by optional class-time, break-time, and home activities. The intervention focused on development of 9–10 year-old children’s motor competence in locomotor, object control, and stability skills, and psychosocial skills. Feasibility was evaluated against nine pre-defined criteria using surveys, interviews (teachers), and focus groups (children). Pre- and post-intervention assessments of motor competence, mental health, prosocial behaviour, wellbeing, and 24-hour movement behaviours were also completed. Results The five recruited schools represented 83% of the target number, 108 children consented (54% of target) with teachers recruited in all schools (100% of target). Intervention dose was reflected by 76% of the 45 scheduled PE lessons being delivered, and adherence was strong (>85% of children attending ≥75% of lessons). Positive indicators of acceptability were provided by 86% of children, 83% of PE teachers, and 90% of class teachers. Data collection methods were deemed acceptable by 91% of children and 80% of class teachers, and children spoke positively about participating in the data collection. Child-level outcome data collection was completed by 65%-97% of children, with a 3%-35% attrition rate at post-intervention, depending on measure. Favourable changes in motor competence (+13.7%), mental health difficulties (-8.8%), and prosocial behaviour (+7.6%) were observed. Conclusions MWFG is an acceptable and feasible motor competence intervention to promote positive mental health. Content and delivery modifications could inform progression to a pilot trial with a more robust design.

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The effects of COVID‐19 on child mental health: Biannual assessments up to April 2022 in a clinical and two general population samples

Cited by 10 publications

References 59 publications

Changes in internalizing and externalizing problems in Dutch children and adolescents receiving youth care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Changes in internalizing and externalizing problems in Dutch children and adolescents receiving youth care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Neuropsychological Symptoms and Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children: A Survey in a Pediatric Population in the Abruzzo Region, Italy

Move Well, Feel Good: Feasibility and acceptability of a school-based motor competence intervention to promote positive mental health

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