Prolonged lockdown: psychological risk factors among children and their mental health

Abstract

The most talked phenomenon and sui generis of the modern time, the coronavirus diseases-2019 impacted individuals in a variety of ways. Older adults had a higher risk of vulnerability, while there were negative ramifications among children due to indirect impact. The preventive measures, including closing down of schools, malls and playgrounds as well as practising social distancing served as a shield against the hazard of outbreak. On the contrary, these strategies inculcated fear, anxiety, ambiguous communication and manifestation of externalizing behaviours in children. Children living in dysfunctional families in underprivileged circumstances were more susceptible to abuse during the pandemic, and had increased risk of behavioural symptomology and psychological morbidities. Challenges brought by the new normal for children requires redefining the role of parenting for effective monitoring and intervention to mitigate the symptoms. Preventive strategies outlined by international scientific communities include reflective listening, debriefing and psychological first aid for effective

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Admission on Families: Results from a Nationwide Sample in Greece

“…Although the clinical symptoms of children infected with COVID-19 are milder than those of adults, and mortality is rare, studies showed that parents and children are especially vulnerable to feelings of emotional distress such as anger, depression, and irritability [ 2 ]. Many factors exacerbate their mental wellbeing, including quarantine, infection fear, frustration, and financial loss [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Many studies reported that teenagers were particularly affected, as quarantine caused a sudden interruption of all their social activities [ 6 , 7 , 14 , 15 ].…”

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents also showed increasing symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, sleeping disorders, and depression [ 2 , 10 ]. Reports also indicated that parents experiencing social isolation, unemployment, and financial instability showed increased signs of child neglect and maltreatment [ 8 , 9 ]. Parents of hospitalized children during the pandemic showed higher symptoms of stress and anxiety than those of parents of children who were not hospitalized [ 12 , 13 ].…”