Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak on Children’s Mental Health: A Comparative Study with Children Diagnosed and Isolated from Their Parents

Abstract

Background The current study aimed to compare the psychological responses of children exposed to different levels of stress during COVID-19 outbreak. Anxiety levels, negative thoughts, and quality of life of COVID-19 positive children (Child + group, n = 17), COVID-19 negative children who are isolated from their COVID-19 positive parent(s) (Parent + group, n = 59), and a control group (n = 64) were compared. Methods The participants completed a sociodemographic data form, the Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Disorders (SCARED), the Children’s Negative Cognitive Errors Questionnaire (CNCEQ), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Results The statistical analysis of the data obtained from the three groups revealed that the Parent + group recorded higher SCARED and CNCEQ scores and lower PedsQL scores in comparison to the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between the Child + group scores and the control group. It was observed that high CNCEQ scores and low PedsQL scores in the Parent + group predicted an increase in the SCARED scores. Conclusions Our study indicates that isolating children from their parents during the COVID-19 outbreak negatively influences their mental health and causes an increase in their anxiety levels. In addition, the results of the study highlight that preventive mental health measures should be applied for children separated from parents during pandemics.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

“…To our knowledge, only one study has been done till now on COVID positive children/adolescents. 43 Future research should explore the longitudinal course of psychological symptoms, especially in connection to the changes in the prevailing situation (lockdown/relaxation in lockdown restrictions, home isolation/hospitalization, closure/re-opening of schools). Studies may also look at the help-seeking regarding the psychological symptoms associated with COVID-19.…”

Traumatic Effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Middle School Students and Caregivers

“…10 A study in Turkey showed that the mental health of children was negatively affected by separation from their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. 11 In the light of this information, it is predicted that pandemic may have traumatic effects on children and their parents and this effect may increase the mutual traumatic impact between the child and the parent, besides traumatic effects on the parent and the child may be higher if the parent is a healthcare worker. It was thought that a high socioeconomic level of the family would reduce the traumatic impact, while a low socioeconomic level could increase the traumatic effect.…”

“…Another study in China found the most commonly seen mental health symptoms in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic to be attention problems, behavioural disorders, irritability, and fears related to infection transmission [ 10 ]. A study in Turkey showed that the mental health of children was negatively affected by separation from their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 11 ].…”