The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Comparison between Caregivers of Autistic and Non-Autistic Individuals in Italy

Fusar-Poli, Laura; Martinez, Miriam; Surace, Teresa; Meo, Valeria; Patania, Federica; Avanzato, Chiara; Signorelli, Maria Salvina; Aguglia, Eugenio

doi:10.3390/brainsci12010116

Cited by 7 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 52 publications

(65 reference statements)

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“…Other 5 investigations revealed various results, in contrast to these findings. They suggested that during the lockdown, psychopathological issues in this population 21,28,29,35,38 decreased.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Evaluation of the Psychological impact of the Coronavirus 141 Fusar-Poli et al/2022 28 This research revealed that the autistic adults' mental health significantly declined.…”

Section: Caregivers Of Autistic Peoplementioning

confidence: 93%

“…During the term in confinement, the severity of this repetitive conduct worsened. There are some outcomes that contradict these 21,28,29,35,38 studies, though.…”

Section: Children With Asdmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Covid-19's impact on the mental and psychological health of people with autisms: a narrative review

Bahramian

2023

J Dow Univ Health Sci

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The restrictions on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have had a significant emotional impact on the general population and could lead to high levels of psychological distress. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be more vulnerable in this widespread because of persistent difficulties in social interaction and communication as well as constrained and repetitive patterns of behavior. The goal of this study is to review studies that assess how COVID-19 affects autistic people's psychological and mental health. This study is a narrative review. The subjects included in these studies consisted of individuals with autism, their parents, families and caregivers. The findings revealed that responses to the pandemic varied, with some autistic persons displaying improvements and others demonstrating deterioration in mental health. Variables like biological vulnerability, isolation, and loss of social support, adjustments to household roles and dynamics, and family conflicts all related to reductions in mental health.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Evaluation of the Psychological impact of the Coronavirus 141 Fusar-Poli et al/2022 28 This research revealed that the autistic adults' mental health significantly declined.…”

Section: Caregivers Of Autistic Peoplementioning

confidence: 93%

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Covid-19's impact on the mental and psychological health of people with autisms: a narrative review

Bahramian

2023

J Dow Univ Health Sci

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“…However, other research has reported much greater levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic among carers of children with an intellectual disability when compared to parents of children without intellectual disability ( Willner et al, 2020 ). Another study comparing carers of autistic and non-autistic individuals did not find significant differences in mental health symptoms during the pandemic between these groups ( Fusar-Poli et al, 2022 ). Risk factors for more parental mental health symptoms during the pandemic have included lower pre-pandemic family income and more pandemic-related stressors (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Factors associated with mental health symptoms among UK autistic children and young people and their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Palmer

Chandler

Leno

et al. 2023

Autism

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The current study explored the role of pre-existing and pandemic-time child, family or environmental factors in the presentation of mental health symptoms of autistic youth and their parents during the pandemic. Participants were parents/carers of autistic children (Autism Spectrum Treatment and Resilience Cohort, N = 67, Mage = 9 years) and adolescents (QUEST cohort, N = 112, Mage = 17 years). Parents completed an online survey that asked about child and parental mental health, infection experience, and changes to education arrangements, family life, housing and finances during the pandemic. Pre-existing measures of mental health, autism and adaptive functioning were also utilised. More engagement and enjoyment in education provision and going outside was associated with better child and parental mental health. In multivariate multiple linear regression models, more pre-existing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms were associated with more behavioural/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms during the pandemic in the pre-adolescent cohort, and with greater emotional symptoms in the adolescent cohort. More pre-existing parental mental health problems were associated with more parental mental health symptoms during the pandemic in both cohorts. Knowledge of pre-existing mental health and pandemic-related stressors may help care planning. Encouraging engagement and enjoyment in education and promoting physical exercise are key intervention targets. Ensuring access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication and support is important, especially if this is managed jointly across school and home. Lay abstract What is already known about the topic: The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions impacted all of society. There is emerging evidence showing a range of impacts on autistic children and young people and their families. Further research that looks at how individuals coped during the pandemic while considering how they were doing before the pandemic is needed. What this paper adds: This article explores whether how well autistic youth were doing before the pandemic influenced how they coped during the pandemic. It also looked at how well their parents were doing during the pandemic and whether any pre-pandemic factors influenced how they coped. Samples of both primary-school-aged autistic children and autistic teenagers and their parents were surveyed to answer these questions. More engagement and enjoyment in education provision during the pandemic and getting outside more were linked with better child and parental mental health during the pandemic. More attention deficit hyperactivity disorder before the pandemic was linked with more attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and behavioural problems during the pandemic in primary-school-aged autistic children, and more emotional problems during the pandemic in autistic teenagers. Parents with more mental health problems during the pandemic had more mental health problems before the pandemic. Implications for practice, research or policy: Encouraging engagement and enjoyment in education and promoting physical exercise are key intervention targets. Ensuring access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication and support is important, especially if this is managed jointly across school and home.

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“…Emerging evidence from around the world has demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic and related social and school changes have had a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of many autistic people and their families ( Asbury & Toseeb, 2022 ; Crane et al, 2021 ; Manning et al, 2021 ; Toseeb & Asbury, 2022 ; White et al, 2021 ); however, findings across studies are not consistent ( Fusar-Poli et al, 2022 ). For example, caregivers and autistic young people and adults have reported a strong dissatisfaction with the services provided for autistic people during the pandemic, with participants describing a detrimental impact on autistic people’s mental health and well-being ( E. Pellicano et al., 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autistic and non-autistic young people’s and caregivers’ perspectives on COVID-19-related schooling changes and their impact on emotional well-being: An opportunity for change?

Ozsivadjian

Milner

Pickard

et al. 2022

Autism

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Autistic children and young people experience poorer mental health and well-being compared to their non-autistic peers. Navigating the complex social, academic, procedural and sensory aspects of school may be particularly challenging for autistic young people and contribute to poorer mental well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented school changes and provided a unique opportunity to gather caregiver’s and young people’s perspectives on the impact of school and pandemic-related school changes on the well-being of both autistic and non-autistic young people. Open-text online survey data from 71 caregivers (of n = 45 autistic young people) and 30 young people aged 11–18 years ( n = 18 autistic) gathered across three timepoints between May and December 2020 during the pandemic revealed both benefits and challenges associated with school changes. Insights into possible lessons from the pandemic and recommendations for more flexible, individualised and strengths-based educational practices going forward are discussed. Lay abstract Autistic young people experience poorer mental health and well-being compared to their non-autistic peers. Navigating the complex social, academic, procedural and sensory aspects of school may be particularly challenging for autistic young people and contribute to poorer mental well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented school changes and provided a unique opportunity to gather caregiver’s and young people’s perspectives on the impact of school and pandemic-related school changes on the well-being of both autistic and non-autistic young people. We asked for the views of caregivers and young people aged 11–18 years gathered across three timepoints between May and December 2020. Their responses revealed both benefits and challenges associated with school changes. Insights into possible lessons from the pandemic and recommendations for more flexible, individualised and strengths-based educational practices are discussed.

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The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Comparison between Caregivers of Autistic and Non-Autistic Individuals in Italy

Cited by 7 publications

References 52 publications

Covid-19's impact on the mental and psychological health of people with autisms: a narrative review

Covid-19's impact on the mental and psychological health of people with autisms: a narrative review

Factors associated with mental health symptoms among UK autistic children and young people and their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Autistic and non-autistic young people’s and caregivers’ perspectives on COVID-19-related schooling changes and their impact on emotional well-being: An opportunity for change?

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