Anxiety and depressive symptomatology among children and adolescents exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Abstract

Background/Aim: Children and adolescents are the sensitive groups for the development of mental disorders during the crisis. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding anxiety and depressive symptomatology in this population. Method: Investigation is based on a Systematic Review followed by PRISMA protocol including Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and APA Psyc Info data bases to identify relevant studies reporting anxiety and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. 27 articles were included. Results: Anxiety symptoms increased from 28.3% before the pandemic to 49.5% during confinement (GAD-7 ? 11) (McNemar test p <0.0001). More depression symptomatology was found as well; weight and sleep changes are disturbances in children and adolescents? mental health. Additionally, female teenagers were experiencing grater declines in mood disorders than male teenagers during the COVID-19 crisis. On one hand, different positive correlations between anxiety and other variables, were found, such as clinical depressive symptoms and anxiety (3/14), smartphone and internet addiction (2/14), lower levels of family income (2/14), perceived threats (2/14), higher grades at school (2/14), loneliness (1/14). On the other hand, positive correlations were reported between depression and children and adolescents that were socially disconnected (3/17). Finally, mothers with higher levels of education and income were associated with more happiness (2/17). Conclusions: COVID-19 has a strong impact in children?s and adolescents? mental health regarding depression and anxiety symptoms. Prevention programs focused on coping strategies should also be considered to be delivered in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. Mental health should become a priority matter for governments and the current pandemic could be an opportunity to highlight the importance of mental well-being and to invest in the betterment of clinical trainings, treatments and mental health research.

Internet use and internet-based addictive behaviours during coronavirus pandemic

“…Children and adolescents are vulnerable groups for developing mental disorders in times of crisis. Age ( children , adolescents ), gender ( especially boys ), depression, and stress were the potential key factors for Internet addiction [5,12 ▪▪ ,61]. In Indonesia, increased hours of Internet use, internalization, externalization, low prosocial behaviour, and sleep disturbances were risk factors for Internet addiction among 2932 adolescents (mean age = 17.38 ± 2.24 years; women, 78.7%).…”

“…As children, adolescents, and young adults (university students) are vulnerable groups, prevention programs focused on coping strategies should be implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools, and universities. Also, as mental health should become a priority for governments, the current pandemic could be an opportunity to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing and to invest in clinical training, treatments, and mental health research [12 ▪▪ ,26]. During these unprecedented times, the role of extended family and professional support for vulnerable individuals should be underscored [61].…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic and its social and economic impacts induced widespread anxiety, depression [5,7 ▪ ,8], and other adverse psychological reactions [9], which are likely to increase addictive behaviour, including substance abuse and behavioural addictions [10]. These trauma-related emotional responses are risk factors for the development of addictive behaviours and relapses, including substance and behavioural addictions [3], especially in children [11,12 ▪▪ ], adolescents [12 ▪▪ ,13] and students [14].…”

Transatlantic strategic convergence on China and the scramble for critical minerals

“…Indeed, threat perceptions and economic dependencies differ among EU member states (Von der Burchard and Rinaldi, 2023), as they do between the USA and Europe. Beijing has succeeded in retaining pockets of influence in Europe, namely, in the Western Balkans (Stanicek and with Tarpova, 2022; Djurdjevic, 2022). Except for Hungary, Central and Eastern European countries tend to be more hawkish toward China than their Western and Southern European counterparts.…”

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected young people?—Mapping knowledge structure and research framework by scientometric analysis

“…Children and adolescents are one of the most vulnerable groups in this pandemic in terms of the development of psychological abnormalities (39,40). It was found that their stress during this epidemic mainly stemmed from the inability to participate in social activities/normal daily activities and important plans/events being canceled or postponed (41).…”