What we have learnt about trauma, loss and grief for children in response to COVID-19

Abstract

The disruption of daily life resulting from COVID-19 and its precautions has taken an enormous emotional toll on children and families. The consequences of disrupted schooling, changed social interactions and altered family dynamics has had some unanticipated positives such as improved on-line educational upskilling and personal resilience. However, the potential longer term implications for educational outcomes, economic impacts of job loss and prolonged financial insecurity, physical wellbeing and mental health remain unclear. The potential for post-traumatic stress disorders from what is experienced by children with imposed isolation from friends and extended family, domestic violence and death of relatives remains concerning. Confronting images and stories relayed through social media and the popular press will challenge children’s views of safety, security, trust and potentially rob them of much of the innocence of youth. In an overwhelming global response to the “adult” problems of the COVID-19 pandemic, this article reflects on the consequences of trauma, loss and grief through the perspective of children and how they may alter their view of the world.

Systematic review: Longitudinal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health

“…For most children and adolescents, the current pandemic represents a first confrontation with severe threat of disease, and potential death and grief in their lives [2][3][4].…”

“…In many the pandemic has caused anxiety and worries about infection and the health of themselves and of their family and friends [3,5]. Feelings of safety, trust, and security have been replaced by a perception of the world as a dangerous and unsafe scary place [2,6,7].…”

Schooling upheaval during COVID-19: troubling consequences for students’ return to school

“…As we have documented, during the learning from home period, teachers and school leaders reported that student well-being was substantially impacted by high levels of anxiety in the broader community and within households (Fitzgerald et al, 2021;Lee, 2020). Many stories were told of families who struggled to support student learning, a challenge exacerbated by stress within the family home.…”

“…While many education systems have been able to support learning from home during lockdown periods, with teachers rapidly moving to online and distance delivery of lessons when needed, students have nonetheless been physically isolated from their peers and teachers. Many have also been exposed to heightened levels of health and economic unease through the media and in their homes during this collectively traumatising event (Fitzgerald et al, 2021 ).…”

Postvention as Prevention: Coping with Loss at School

“…Specifically, individuals experience more intense acute grief when deaths are associated with COVID-19 than when they are related to other natural illnesses not related to the pandemic [ 5 , 6 ]. The consequences of COVID-19 materialize in heightened rates of trauma, loss and grief for children and have long term impact [ 7 ]. In addition, because of higher bereavement rates, individuals are at a higher risk of psychological impairment, especially when experiencing separation distress, grief, and posttraumatic stress [ 8 ].…”