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Child wellbeing in the United Kingdom following the COVID-19 lockdowns
Anandi Singh1,1,1,2, Naasira Shah1,1,1,2, Chukwudumebi Mbeledogu1,1,1,2
1Specialist Trainee in Paediatrics, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted children's wellbeing through school closures and financial hardship. The Social Determinants of Health framework highlights indirect effects on children via family and societal changes, increasing risks for adverse childhood experiences.
Area of Science:
- Child Health
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption to children's lives, including school closures and social isolation.
- The Social Determinants of Health model provides a framework for understanding the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic on child wellbeing.
- Children's experiences are interconnected with those of their parents, families, communities, and government policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's wellbeing.
- To examine how social determinants influenced children's health outcomes during the pandemic.
- To identify risks and challenges faced by children during pandemic-related lockdowns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Social Determinants of Health model as a conceptual framework.
- Reviewed literature and data on the impact of pandemic-related changes on child health and wellbeing.
- Considered impacts across various domains including healthcare access, mental health, family environment, and online activities.
Main Results:
- Children experienced decreased healthcare access, mental health decline, and increased obesity due to factors like poverty and reduced exercise.
- Increased exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as domestic violence and parental mental illness was reported.
- Online activities for education and socialization posed risks of criminal exploitation and grooming.
- Maternal stress during pregnancy may have affected infant bonding, exacerbated by reduced health visitor support.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound and lasting negative effects on children's physical and mental health.
- Social inequalities are likely to be exacerbated by the long-term financial implications of the pandemic.
- A comprehensive approach considering social determinants is crucial for mitigating the pandemic's impact on child wellbeing and future health outcomes.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic led to huge changes to children's daily lives including school closures, loss of contact with family and friends, and financial difficulties which impacted on the wellbeing of all children. The Social Determinants of Health model gives us a framework to consider the impact of lockdown directly on children, and indirectly through the impact on parents, families, community and government policy as children cannot be considered in isolation to families or society. Children have suffered directly with lack of access to healthcare, and a decline in their mental health. Infant bonding may have been affected due to maternal stress, anxiety or depression, compounded by limited Health Visitor support. Poverty, food insecurity and lack of exercise contributed to increased obesity. Many children will have been exposed to domestic violence, parental mental illness and child abuse without being able to tell teachers or other adults outside of the home, these Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) increase the risk for subsequent health and behaviour problems. Children have spent many hours online for school learning and socializing with friends but faced risks of criminal exploitation and grooming. The long-term financial implications of COVID-19 will continue to impact on society for many years to come and further increase social inequalities.
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