Psychological Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents With and Without Mental Disorders

Bibliographic Data

ID22089145
AuthorsSusanne Gilsbach (RWTH Aachen University), Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann, Beate Herpertz‐Dahlmann (0000-0001-8450-3323, RWTH Aachen University), Kerstin Konrad (0000-0001-9039-2615, Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume9
Pages679041-679041
Publication date2021-11-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.679041
PMID34805060
OpenAlexW3213176905
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited22

Background: The previous and current studies highlight the psychological distress caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated restrictions among the general population, especially among children and adolescents; however, few studies have examined children and adolescents with a mental disorder. The current study aimed to explore whether youth with mental disorders show a higher pandemic-associated psychological burden than healthy children and adolescents and to determine which psychiatric diagnoses are particularly associated with a higher distress level. Methods: In this study, 144 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18 years with a mental disorder and 48 children and adolescents within the same age range without a mental disorder, and their caregivers, completed questionnaires assessing the pandemic-associated trauma symptoms (the Child Report of Post-Traumatic Symptoms [CROPS] and the Parents Report of Post-Traumatic Symptoms [PROPS]). Additionally, we asked specific questions about the pandemic-associated stress factors, such as financial problems, prolonged screen times, or loneliness. Results: Children and adolescents with a mental illness showed a significantly higher psychological burden than their mentally healthy peers. Female gender was a risk factor for a higher self-reported psychological burden, and younger age was associated with a more extensive parent-reported psychological burden. The patients with a depressive disorder showed significantly higher levels of psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic than the patients with an attention deficit and/or a conduct disorder. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with a mental illness, particularly, female children and individuals with a depressive disorder, are at an increased risk of suffering from pandemic-associated psychological distress. Adequate mental health care options, such as telepsychiatry, are indispensable

Comorbidity · Distress · Loneliness · Mental health · Mental illness · Population · Psychiatry · Traumatic stress · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Psychology

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