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Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
Understanding why the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown increases mental health difficulties in vulnerable young
Dolapo Adegboye1, Ffion Williams1, Stephan Collishaw2
1Department of Psychology Cardiff University Cardiff South Glamorgan UK.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened mental health issues in vulnerable primary school children. Financial stress significantly impacted child mental health through parental well-being.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Primary school children are vulnerable to the mental health impacts of school closures and social isolation.
- Pre-pandemic data are crucial for assessing the effects of COVID-19 on at-risk children.
- Understanding the socio-economic and emotional toll on families is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the social and emotional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary school children identified as 'at-risk'.
- To assess changes in mental health and socio-economic status during the pandemic.
- To investigate the relationship between financial stress, parental mental health, and child mental health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from an ongoing study of primary school children (4-8 years) identified as 'at-risk'.
- Collected pre-pandemic mental health and socio-economic data.
- Re-assessed a cohort (n=142) via researcher-led video calls during the pandemic.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in child mental health problems, particularly anxiety, were observed.
- Parental mental health issues (anxiety, depression) were prevalent.
- Financial stress during lockdown was higher in low-income families and indirectly predicted increased child mental health problems via parental mental health.
Conclusions:
- The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities in children.
- Financial stress, including job loss and income reduction, was a key factor.
- Parental mental health mediated the link between financial strain and adverse child outcomes.
Background:
The mental health consequences of school closure, social isolation, increased financial and emotional stress, and greater exposure to family conflicts are likely to be pronounced for primary school children who are known to be vulnerable. Data from prior to the pandemic are needed to provide robust assessments of the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable children.
Method:
The present study capitalises on an ongoing study of primary school children (4-8 years) identified as 'at-risk' for mental health problems by teachers. We collected mental health and socio-economic data prior to the pandemic and re-assessed this cohort (n = 142) via researcher-led video calls during the pandemic to evaluate the social and emotional impacts of COVID-19 for these families.
Results:
Mental health problems, particularly anxiety, increased significantly in these children. Parental mental health difficulties (anxiety and depression) were also prevalent. There were higher reports of financial stress during lockdown amongst low-income families previously identified as living in poverty, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial strain was found to indirectly predict increases in child mental health problems through parental mental health.
Conclusion:
These findings show that the pandemic exacerbated mental health problems in already vulnerable children. These negative outcomes were explained by financial stress (e.g., lost employment, loss of income and inability to pay bills), which was negatively linked to parental mental health.
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