Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Nov 1;34(6):624-630.
doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000747.

Predictors of mental health worsening among children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Ernesto Caffo  1 , Lisa Asta, Francesca Scandroglio
Affiliations
Review

Predictors of mental health worsening among children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Ernesto Caffo et al. Curr Opin Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Restrictions put in place to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have significantly affected the lives of children and adolescents worldwide. School closure, home confinement and social distancing have the potential to negatively impact the mental health of this population. Several risk factors seem to contribute to worsening mental health of children and adolescents, with an increase of anxiety and depression symptoms. This review aims at exploring research available on risk factors that may worsen the mental health among children and adolescents during the pandemic.

Recent findings: Some of these predictors in worsening the effects are social isolation, screen time and excessive social media use, parental stress and poor parent-child relationship, low socioeconomic status, preexisting mental health conditions and/or disabilities.

Summary: Further research is needed in order to understand mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as risk factors associated with negative consequences. New findings will help in targeting evidence-based interventions to prevent and mitigate the negative effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Box 1
Box 1
no caption available
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Marques de Miranda D, da Silva Athanasio B, Sena Oliveira AC, Simoes-E-Silva AC. How is COVID-19 pandemic impacting mental health of children and adolescents? Int J Disaster Risk Reduct 2020; 51:101845. - PMC - PubMed

    2. This comprehensive review provides a detailed outline of major effects of the pandemic on children's and adolescents’ mental health.

    1. Fegert JM, Vitiello B, Plener PL, Clemens V. Challenges and burden of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for child and adolescent mental health: a narrative review to highlight clinical and research needs in the acute phase and the long return to normality. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2020; 14:20. - PMC - PubMed

    2. This review outlines major challenges for the mental health of children and adolescents during the pandemic and provides important insights for the implementation of policies enacted to contain the effects of the pandemic on children's and adolescents’ mental health.

    1. Cooper K, Hards E, Moltrecht B, et al. . Loneliness, social relationships, and mental health in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Affect Disord 2021; 289:98–104. - PMC - PubMed

    2. This study examines cross-sectional associations and longitudinal relationships between loneliness, social contact, parent relationships and subsequent mental health.

    1. McKune SL, Acosta D, Diaz N, et al. . Psychosocial health of school-aged children during the initial COVID-19 safer-at-home school mandates in Florida: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:603. - PMC - PubMed

    2. This cross-sectional study identifies risk factors associated with worsening of mental health, specifically depressive, anxiety-related and OCD-related symptoms.

    1. Zhou SJ, Zhang LG, Wang LL, et al. . Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of psychological health problems in Chinese adolescents during the outbreak of COVID-19. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2020; 29:749–758. - PMC - PubMed

    2. This is one of the first studies that assesses the prevalence rate and socio-demographic correlates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents.