Jara Lopez-Serrano1, Rosalía Díaz-Bóveda2, Laura González-Vallespí2, Pilar Santamarina-Pérez3, Antonia Bretones-Rodríguez2, Rosa Calvo4, Sara Lera-Miguel2. 1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, C/VIllaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: lopez38@clinic.cat. 2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, C/VIllaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, C/VIllaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain. 4. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, C/VIllaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities confined adults, adolescents and children to their homes. Recent articles warn of possible long-term consequences on mental health, especially for those who suffer from underlying psychiatric conditions and for vulnerable sections of the population. The present study explores the psychological impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on outpatients at the Centre of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS), which is based in Barcelona. METHODS: A total of 441 caregivers answered an online ad-hoc survey on their sociodemographic and economic situation, perceived stress, and clinical changes and coping strategies observed in their children during lockdown. The Chi-square test was used to compare the response percentages for each behaviour or symptom between age, gender and diagnostic groups. Variance and post-hoc test were also analyzed, as was the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The use of electronic devices has significantly increased. There has also been an increase in symptoms such as attentional problems, fatigue and irritability, among others. Differences were found between age and gender groups. The diagnostic groups most affected by confinement were Autism Spectrum Disorders and Conduct Disorders. The survey also discovered a relationship between the loss of family income, parental stress and increased symptoms in children. CONCLUSION: Confinement has increased externalizing symptoms and behaviours as well as COVID-19 related concerns, somatic problems and anxieties. It is important to observe the fluctuation of symptoms and how young people adapt to the pandemic in order to reach a better understanding of the situation and devise new strategies to reduce the psychological impact of the pandemic.
OBJECTIVE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities confined adults, adolescents and children to their homes. Recent articles warn of possible long-term consequences on mental health, especially for those who suffer from underlying psychiatric conditions and for vulnerable sections of the population. The present study explores the psychological impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on outpatients at the Centre of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS), which is based in Barcelona. METHODS: A total of 441 caregivers answered an online ad-hoc survey on their sociodemographic and economic situation, perceived stress, and clinical changes and coping strategies observed in their children during lockdown. The Chi-square test was used to compare the response percentages for each behaviour or symptom between age, gender and diagnostic groups. Variance and post-hoc test were also analyzed, as was the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The use of electronic devices has significantly increased. There has also been an increase in symptoms such as attentional problems, fatigue and irritability, among others. Differences were found between age and gender groups. The diagnostic groups most affected by confinement were Autism Spectrum Disorders and Conduct Disorders. The survey also discovered a relationship between the loss of family income, parental stress and increased symptoms in children. CONCLUSION: Confinement has increased externalizing symptoms and behaviours as well as COVID-19 related concerns, somatic problems and anxieties. It is important to observe the fluctuation of symptoms and how young people adapt to the pandemic in order to reach a better understanding of the situation and devise new strategies to reduce the psychological impact of the pandemic.
Authors: Miguel A Jerónimo; Sergio Piñar; Pilar Samos; Ana M Gonzalez; Magda Bellsolà; Agnès Sabaté; Jordi León; Xavier Aliart; Luis M Martín; Rosa Aceña; Victor Pérez; David Córcoles Journal: Rev Psiquiatr Salud Ment Date: 2021-11-19 Impact factor: 3.318
Authors: Sara Ajanovic; Jon Garrido-Aguirre; Bàrbara Baro; Núria Balanza; Rosauro Varo; Pere Millat-Martínez; Sara Arias; Jordi Fonollosa; Alexandre Perera-Lluna; Iolanda Jordan; Carmen Muñoz-Almagro; Elisenda Bonet-Carne; Aina Crosas-Soler; Esther Via; Begonya Nafria; Juan José García-García; Quique Bassat Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-11-25