Abstract
Backgrounds: Recent studies suggest that not only acute COVID-19 infection, but also COVID-19-
related restrictive measures have a great impact on children and adolescent mental health. The purpose
of this study was to describe the influence of COVID-19 on psycho-emotional well-being of the children.
Methods: The study design is a retrospective longitudinal study. From March 2020 to December 2020
fifty-two paediatric COVID-19 patients (age 6-18 years) and their parents were enrolled in the study. Data
were collected through a validated questionnaire (Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist) in a face-to-face
visit. Questions were on the scales of anxiety, depression, relationship difficulty and aggressive
behaviour. The evaluation was performed in 3 time periods - before, during and after acute COVID-19.
Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Selected alpha value was 0.05.
Results: All together fifty-two (n=52) children were enrolled in the study. Statistically significant results
were obtained by comparing the results on the anxiety scale, median score before COVID-19 - 3,5 points,
during COVID-19 – 5,0 points and after COVID-19 – 4,0 points. Statistically significant results were also
on the depression scale, median score before COVID-19 - 1,5 points, during COVID-19 – 3,0 points and
after COVID-19 – 2,0 points and on relationship difficulty scale, median score in all 3 time periods – 2,0
points. 27% (n=14) of children still have complaints about cognitive difficulties in the period after recovery
from COVID-19.
Conclusions/Learning Points: The results of the study suggest that among children and adolescents
aged 6-18 years their symptoms of anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties are increasing during
the acute phase of COVID-19. It is important to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on children’s and
adolescents’ psycho-emotional well-being.
related restrictive measures have a great impact on children and adolescent mental health. The purpose
of this study was to describe the influence of COVID-19 on psycho-emotional well-being of the children.
Methods: The study design is a retrospective longitudinal study. From March 2020 to December 2020
fifty-two paediatric COVID-19 patients (age 6-18 years) and their parents were enrolled in the study. Data
were collected through a validated questionnaire (Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist) in a face-to-face
visit. Questions were on the scales of anxiety, depression, relationship difficulty and aggressive
behaviour. The evaluation was performed in 3 time periods - before, during and after acute COVID-19.
Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Selected alpha value was 0.05.
Results: All together fifty-two (n=52) children were enrolled in the study. Statistically significant results
were obtained by comparing the results on the anxiety scale, median score before COVID-19 - 3,5 points,
during COVID-19 – 5,0 points and after COVID-19 – 4,0 points. Statistically significant results were also
on the depression scale, median score before COVID-19 - 1,5 points, during COVID-19 – 3,0 points and
after COVID-19 – 2,0 points and on relationship difficulty scale, median score in all 3 time periods – 2,0
points. 27% (n=14) of children still have complaints about cognitive difficulties in the period after recovery
from COVID-19.
Conclusions/Learning Points: The results of the study suggest that among children and adolescents
aged 6-18 years their symptoms of anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties are increasing during
the acute phase of COVID-19. It is important to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on children’s and
adolescents’ psycho-emotional well-being.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 929 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Event | 40th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) - Athens & online, Athens, Greece Duration: 9 May 2022 → 13 May 2022 Conference number: 40 https://2022.espidmeeting.org/ |
Meeting
| Meeting | 40th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ESPID 2022 |
| Country/Territory | Greece |
| City | Athens |
| Period | 9/05/22 → 13/05/22 |
| Internet address |
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
