Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer1, Anne Kaman2, Christiane Otto2, Adekunle Adedeji2, Ann-Kathrin Napp2, Marcia Becker2, Ulrike Blanck-Stellmacher2, Constanze Löffler2, Robert Schlack3, Heike Hölling3, Janine Devine2, Michael Erhart2,4,5, Klaus Hurrelmann6. 1. Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, -psychotherapie und -psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland. ravens-sieberer@uke.de. 2. Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, -psychotherapie und -psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland. 3. Abteilung für Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Fachgebiet Psychische Gesundheit, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Deutschland. 4. Alice Salomon Hochschule, Berlin, Deutschland. 5. Apollon Hochschule der Gesundheitswirtschaft, Bremen, Deutschland. 6. Hertie School, Berlin, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The drastic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative impact on the psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents. OBJECTIVES: COPSY is the first national, representative German study to examine mental health and quality of life of children and adolescents during the pandemic. Results are compared with data of the representative longitudinal BELLA study conducted before the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internationally established instruments for measuring health-related quality of life and mental health (including anxiety and depressive symptoms) were administered to n = 1586 parents with 7‑ to 17-year-old children and adolescents, of whom n = 1040 11- to 17-year-olds also provided self-reports, from 26 May to 10 June 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate tests. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of the children and adolescents and 75% of the parents felt burdened by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the time before the pandemic, the children and adolescents reported a lower health-related quality of life, the percentage of children and adolescents with mental health problems almost doubled, and their health behavior worsened. Socially disadvantaged children felt particularly burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Two-thirds of the parents would like to receive support in coping with their child during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a mental health risk to children and adolescents. Schools, doctors, and society are called to react by providing low-threshold and target-group-specific prevention and mental health promotion programs.
BACKGROUND: The drastic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative impact on the psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents. OBJECTIVES: COPSY is the first national, representative German study to examine mental health and quality of life of children and adolescents during the pandemic. Results are compared with data of the representative longitudinal BELLA study conducted before the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internationally established instruments for measuring health-related quality of life and mental health (including anxiety and depressive symptoms) were administered to n = 1586 parents with 7‑ to 17-year-old children and adolescents, of whom n = 1040 11- to 17-year-olds also provided self-reports, from 26 May to 10 June 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate tests. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of the children and adolescents and 75% of the parents felt burdened by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the time before the pandemic, the children and adolescents reported a lower health-related quality of life, the percentage of children and adolescents with mental health problems almost doubled, and their health behavior worsened. Socially disadvantaged children felt particularly burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Two-thirds of the parents would like to receive support in coping with their child during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a mental health risk to children and adolescents. Schools, doctors, and society are called to react by providing low-threshold and target-group-specific prevention and mental health promotion programs.
Authors: B Birmaher; D A Brent; L Chiappetta; J Bridge; S Monga; M Baugher Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 1999-10 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Fabrizio Ricci; Pascal Izzicupo; Federica Moscucci; Susanna Sciomer; Silvia Maffei; Angela Di Baldassarre; Anna Vittoria Mattioli; Sabina Gallina Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-05-12
Authors: Marla Andréia Garcia de Avila; Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho; Francine Letícia da Silva Jacob; Léia Regina Souza Alcantara; Malin Berghammer; Margaretha Jenholt Nolbris; Patricia Olaya-Contreras; Stefan Nilsson Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-08-09 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Elias Naumann; Ellen von den Driesch; Almut Schumann; Carolin Thönnissen Journal: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz Date: 2021-11-03 Impact factor: 1.513