Loneliness and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Concerns have been raised about the loneliness and well-being of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent to which the ongoing pandemic has impacted loneliness and the association between loneliness and well-being is unclear. Therefore, a systematic review of empirical studies on the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted to examine the (1) prevalence of loneliness in children and adolescents, (2) associations between loneliness and indicators of well-being, and (3) moderators of these associations. Five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science, ERIC) were searched from 1 January 2020 to 28 June 2022 and 41 studies met our inclusion criteria (cross-sectional: n = 30; longitudinal: n = 11; registered on PROSPERO: CRD42022337252). Cross-sectional prevalence rates of pandemic loneliness varied, with some finding that over half of children and adolescents experienced at least moderate levels of loneliness. Longitudinal results reflected significant mean increases in loneliness compared to pre-pandemic levels. Cross-sectional results indicated that higher levels of loneliness were significantly associated with poorer well-being, including higher depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, gaming addiction, and sleep problems. Longitudinal associations between loneliness and well-being were more complex than cross-sectional associations, varying by assessment timing and factors in the statistical analyses. There was limited diversity in study designs and samples, preventing a thorough examination of moderating characteristics. Findings highlight a broader challenge with child and adolescent well-being that predates the pandemic and the need for future research to examine underrepresented populations across multiple timepoints.

Changes in Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Social isolation and quarantine orders have been associated with a 4-fold increased risk in stress-related symptoms among children . Numerous etiological factors for psychopathology also appeared or were exacerbated during the pandemic, including increased screen time, closures and disruptions related to schooling, cancellation of extracurricular activities, increased loneliness, decreased physical activity, and lack of access to school mental health supports . Commensurate with these risk factors were considerable changes to the family milieu, which can have spillover effects on child and adolescent well-being, such as increases in parent depression and anxiety symptoms, family violence, job loss, and alcohol consumption .…”

Systematic review: Impact of parental decision on paediatric COVID‐19 vaccination

“…Another study (Sprang & Silman, 2013), which was unrelated to the COVID‐19 pandemic, reported that when young people were quarantined and isolated after health‐related disasters, there was an increased risk of developing post‐traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, a review (Farrell et al, 2023) observed a significant association between high levels of loneliness and worse well‐being, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, gaming addiction and sleeping problems (Farrell et al, 2023). These conditions, if installed since childhood, can cause several problems related to cognitive, affective and behavioural development.…”

Project DREAM: Iterative development of an afterschool program with an emphasis on youth–adult relationships

“…Alternatives that could be explored include offering the intervention within the context of university‐community partnerships or partnering with afterschool organizations (e.g., Boys and Girls Clubs of America) so that universities or organizations could provide needed supports. All possibilities are worth exploring as adolescents continue to face growing levels of loneliness and disconnection that have worsened as a result of the Covid‐19 pandemic (Farrell et al, 2023; Twenge et al, 2021). If the Project DREAM intervention proves effective in fostering greater social connection, it will be worth it to explore all possible avenues for widespread implementation.…”