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. 2023 Feb 1;17(1):17.
doi: 10.1186/s13034-023-00563-5.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents: determinants and association with quality of life and mental health-a cross-sectional study

Viviane Richard  1 , Roxane Dumont  1 , Elsa Lorthe  1 , Andrea Loizeau  1 , Hélène Baysson  1   2 , María-Eugenia Zaballa  1 , Francesco Pennacchio  1 , Rémy P Barbe  3 , Klara M Posfay-Barbe  4 , Idris Guessous #  2   5 , Silvia Stringhini #  6   7   8 ; SEROCoV-KIDS Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents: determinants and association with quality of life and mental health-a cross-sectional study

Viviane Richard et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. .

Abstract

Background: The medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of children and adolescents remains unclear. More than 2 years into the pandemic, we aimed to quantify the frequency and determinants of having been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and estimate its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health.

Methods: Data was drawn from a population-based cohort of children and adolescents, recruited between December 2021 and June 2022, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Coronavirus impact scale was used to assess the multidimensional impact of the pandemic on children through parent's report. A score higher than one standard deviation above the mean was deemed a severe impact. Parents additionally reported about their offspring HRQoL and mental health with validated scales. Determinants of having been severely impacted were assessed with logistic models, as were the associations between having experienced a severe impact and poor HRQoL or mental health.

Results: Out of 2101 participants aged 2-17, 12.7% had experienced a severe pandemic impact. Having a lasting health condition, a pandemic-related worsening of lifestyle habits or an unfavorable family environment were associated with having been severely impacted by the pandemic, while a previous anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection was not. Participants who had experienced a severe pandemic impact were more likely to present poor HRQoL (aOR = 3.1; 95% CI 2.3-4.4) and poor mental health (aOR = 3.9; 95% CI 2.5-6.2).

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic may have persistent consequences on the wellbeing of children and adolescents, especially among those with health and family vulnerabilities.

Keywords: Adolescents; COVID-19 pandemic; Children; Family factors; Mental health; Quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig.1
Fig.1
Determinants of having been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic among children and adolescents (n = 2043). Results from generalized estimating equations taking the household clustering into account and adjusted for age and sex. Model for parent mood adjusted for age, sex, health condition and financial situation; model for parent–child relationship adjusted for age, sex and parent mood. a Sex category “Other” not included because of too small number of observations. b Regression based on participants with available anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology (n = 1966). c Category Unknown/Not applicable, Unknown/No answer or Undetermined not shown. d Participant-reported change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. e Similar level and increase in physical activity as well as similar level and decrease in screen time are grouped. When analyzed separately, coefficients were of comparable magnitude
Fig.2
Fig.2
Association between having been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or mental health of children and adolescents. Results from generalized estimating equations taking the household clustering into account, adjusted for sex, age and health condition. Reference levels are an average-to-good HRQoL and mental health, and no internalizing/externalizing problems (n = 2043)
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