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Children's Mental Health During the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Burden, Risk Factors and Posttraumatic

Anna Wenter1,2, Maximilian Schickl1,2, Kathrin Sevecke2,3

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

Frontiers in Psychology
|June 20, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted children's mental health, with increased internalizing problems and posttraumatic stress symptoms observed over time. However, children also experienced positive changes like stronger family bonds and new skills, highlighting potential for posttraumatic growth.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Pandemic Impact Studies

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and associated containment measures significantly altered children's daily lives.
  • Understanding the pandemic's effects on child mental health and quality of life is crucial for public health.
  • Previous research indicates significant psychosocial impacts of large-scale crises on pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and health-related quality of life in children aged 3-13 years.
  • To identify factors influencing mental health outcomes and explore positive changes observed during the pandemic.
  • To analyze changes in children's experiences and well-being across different time points during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • A mixed-methods study, the "Tyrolean COVID-19 Children's Study," involved 2,691 children (3-13 years) across Austria and Italy.
  • Parents completed 4 waves of online questionnaires between March 2020 and December 2021.
  • Data analysis included statistical modeling for mental health outcomes and thematic analysis for qualitative insights.

Main Results:

  • Children's mental health outcomes (internalizing problems, posttraumatic stress symptoms) worsened from March 2020 to December 2021.
  • Schoolchildren exhibited increased aggressive behavior, while both age groups showed heightened threat experience over time.
  • Positive changes included enhanced intra- and extra-familial relationships, new competencies, and perceived family strength.

Conclusions:

  • Threat experience, economic disruption, and perceived posttraumatic growth were key predictors of children's mental health outcomes.
  • Targeted support for vulnerable children is essential to prevent long-term psychopathology and enhance psychosocial resilience.
  • Promoting posttraumatic growth offers an opportunity to improve children's mental health and leverage crisis for positive development.

Keywords:
COVID-19childrenmental healthposttraumatic growthpsychiatric symptomsquality of liferisk factorsthreat experience

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