COVID-19 Pandemic and Autism Spectrum Disorder, Consequences to Children and Adolescents — a Systematic Review

Pai, Janise Dal; Wolff, Cecília Gatti; Aranchipe, Carolina Siciliani; Kepler, Carolina Knorst; Santos, Gabriele Alves dos; Canton, Luiz Augusto Leal; Carvalho, Antonella Brun de; Richter, Samanta Andresa; Nunes, Magda Lahorgue

doi:10.1007/s40489-022-00344-4

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The indicators of frequency and intensity of emotional outbursts worsened or remained the same from Time 1 to Time 2, except for the duration of less severe emotional outbursts, which decreased by 1 point in the maximum score. This result does not compromise the predictive validity of the instrument, and it can be hypothesized that for this reduction in scores, there is evidence from previous studies showing that removing demands, especially social ones such as attending school 35 , was a driver of well-being for autistic pupils and their parents/caregivers 36 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Preliminary psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the emotional outburst questionnaire

Teixeira,

Tafla,

Lowenthal

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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This study focuses on the cross-cultural adaptation of the Emotional Outburst Questionnaire (EOQ) to Brazilian Portuguese and preliminarily assesses its predictive validity. The EOQ evaluates aspects of emotional outbursts (EO), including frequency, duration, intensity, types, associated behaviours, recovery time, triggers, and effectiveness of calming strategies. Two independent translators performed the translation, with subsequent synthesis and analysis revealing that only 33 items (24.81%) required revision. Among these, one item needed partial modification, and two needed total modification. The study demonstrated strong content validity and adaptation in terms of conceptual, idiomatic, and semantic aspects. The EOQ's predictive validity was assessed by analysing the interruption of mental health services in Brazil due to Covid-19 (T1) compared to when services resumed after social distancing measures were lifted (T2). Parents of 25 individuals with developmental disabilities (ASD, DS and ID), with a mean of 11 y/o, mostly male (76%), completed the EOQ. Service interruption during T1 led to increased frequency and duration of severe emotional outbursts reported by caregivers compared to T2 (frequency: p < .001; duration: p = 0.05). This suggests that the EOQ exhibits predictive validity and sensitivity to changes influenced by individual contexts. These findings highlight the EOQ's potential as an outcome measure for intervention development.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Preliminary psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the emotional outburst questionnaire

Teixeira,

Tafla,

Lowenthal

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In the adolescents with intellectual disabilities all the CBCL scales were significantly higher except for Thought problems and ADHD scales. Several previous studies confirmed a worsening in young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly represented by an increase in anxiety symptoms, irritability hyperactivity and behavioral problems [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 63 ], probably due to changes in their daily routines and access to therapies. Other studies, on the other hand, suggested a reduction in emotional behavioral manifestations in adolescents with autism due to lower social pressure [ 64 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…In the systematic review by Dal Pai et al [ 23 ] the authors underlined that children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experienced several pandemic-related issues that impacted their psychological well-being, behavior and sleep patterns. Another study that examined stress and anxiety levels in youth with and without ASD and their parents during the first three months of the pandemic, revealed that ASD families experienced more anxiety and stress [ 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescents with Neuropsychiatric Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Emotional Well-Being and Parental Stress

et al. 2022

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(1) Introduction: The aim of our research was to explore emotional/behavioral changes in adolescents with neuropsychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and parental stress levels through a standardized assessment, comparing the data collected before and during the first months of lockdown. Moreover, an additional goal was to detect a possible relationship between emotional/behavioural symptoms of adolescents and the stress levels of their parents. (2) Methods: We enrolled 178 Italian adolescents aged between 12–18 that were referred to the Child Neuropsychiatry Unit of the University Hospital of Salerno with different neuropsychiatric diagnoses. Two standardized questionnaires were provided to all parents for the assessment of parental stress (PSI-Parenting Stress Index-Short Form) and the emotional/behavioral problems of their children (Child Behaviour Check List). The data collected from questionnaires administered during the six months preceding the pandemic, as is our usual clinical practice, were compared to those recorded during the pandemic. (3) Results: The statistical comparison of PSI and CBCL scores before/during the pandemic showed a statistically significant increase in all subscales in the total sample. The correlation analysis highlighted a significant positive relationship between Parental Stress and Internalizing/Externalizing symptoms of adolescent patients. Age and gender did not significantly affect CBCL and PSI scores, while the type of diagnosis could affect behavioral symptoms and parental stress. (4) Conclusions: our study suggests that the lockdown and the containment measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic could have aggravated the emotional/behavioral symptoms of adolescents with neuropsychiatric disorders and the stress of their parents. Further studies should be conducted in order to monitor the evolution of these aspects over time.

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“…Sleep was an issue during the pandemic for children and adolescents with ADHD, but also for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, 48 those with epilepsy, 49 and healthy children and adolescents. 46 A meta-analysis found that children and adolescents were the second most prevalent population with sleep problems (42.47%), behind only people with COVID-19.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - a systematic review

Dal-Pai,

Soares,

de Fraga

et al. 2024

Jornal de Pediatria

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COVID-19 Pandemic and Autism Spectrum Disorder, Consequences to Children and Adolescents — a Systematic Review

Cited by 15 publications

References 49 publications

Preliminary psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the emotional outburst questionnaire

Preliminary psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the emotional outburst questionnaire

Adolescents with Neuropsychiatric Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Emotional Well-Being and Parental Stress

Consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - a systematic review

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