Pandemic's Long-Term Effects on Young Children's Socioemotional Development

Early childhood experiences are critical for brain development and functioning throughout life, directly impacting socioemotional development. The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to development, many of which were previously unknown. This study examined the pandemic's impact on socioemotional development, with 2 questions: (1) what are the trends of risk status in the years before, during, and after the pandemic? and (2) which are the most related sociodemographic characteristics of children at risk across 2019-2023?

The sample included 25,050 children, aged 2-60 months. Male children comprised 56.0% of the sample. Mothers had an average age of 29.05 (SD=5.64) years, and 45.0% held a college degree. Risk for socioemotional delays was defined by the Ages & Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, Second Edition. Analyses included the Cochran-Armitage test for trend, regression models, and propensity score matching.

A mixed pattern was found in the risk status: an initial period of stability or decline in 2020-2021, followed by a sharp increase in 2022 and 2023. Family income, maternal age, and level of education were consistently associated with an increased risk across all years. Children with younger mothers or mothers with a high-school education or less were more likely to be classified as at risk, with male children showing higher vulnerability.

This serial cross-sectional study indicates that the pandemic significantly affected the risk of socioemotional development in young children, especially from vulnerable environments. The pronounced effects, particularly evident 2 years after its onset, may reflect its cumulative negative impact.