A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland.

Katriona O’Sullivan,Serena Clark,Natasha Joksimovic,Kevin Marshall,Amy Mcgrane,Neasa Boyle,Lydia Burke,Nicole Rock

doi:10.3390/ijerph18031062

Abstract

Mitigating the adverse physical health risks associated with COVID-19 has been a priority of public health incentives. Less attention has been placed on understanding the psychological factors related to the global pandemic, especially among vulnerable populations. This qualitative study sought to understand the experiences of children and adolescents during COVID-19. This study interviewed 48 families during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and a national lockdown, to understand its impacts. The study used an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Parents and children discussed the negative impact of the restrictions on young people’s wellbeing. Children and adolescents experienced adverse mental health effects, including feelings of social isolation, depression, anxiety, and increases in maladaptive behaviour. Families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders reported increased mental health difficulties during this period mostly due to changes to routine. The findings highlight the impact of severe restrictions on vulnerable populations’ wellbeing and mental health outcomes, including children, adolescents, and those with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Highlights

Discourse and policies around COVID-19 disproportionately focus on the adverse effects of the public health crisis on adults
Throughout the interviews, we observed the stresses and strains placed on families in the COVID-19 crisis
One mother described the impact on her young children, and how there was nowhere for them to go during the crisis, they did not have the benefit of being able to connect through technology: “My conclusion is that the children have taken, have borne the brunt of this

Summary

Introduction

Discourse and policies around COVID-19 disproportionately focus on the adverse effects of the public health crisis on adults. Anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are the most common psychological reactions to the pandemic in adults [1]; the impact of COVID-19 on young people is not fully understood. Evidence suggests that young people are less likely to experience severe symptoms from contracting the disease [3] but this does not mean they are able or supported to cope with the psychological, economic, and social effects. The short-term policy strategies of governments have focused on mitigating the physical risks of COVID-19 by placing limits on social interactions and freedom of movement Increasing inequalities in parents’ resources and shifting conditions of home environments may exacerbate disparities in opportunities for advantaged and disadvantaged youth [4].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion