Behavioral and Psychiatric Health Problems in Iranian Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused the long-term quarantine of most children and adolescents. Behavioral and psychiatric health issues with child protection need to be evaluated in disasters. The present study aimed to examine the behavioral and psychiatric status of children and adolescents during the pandemic to address the effects of the pandemic and isolation on children’s and adolescents’ behavioral and psychiatric health. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 322 students aged 10–18 attending public high and elementary schools in Esfahan, Iran. The parents completed the Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4). Results: Findings showed that 58% of students met the criteria for all psychiatric symptoms except for autism and Asperger’s disorder, and 5% suffered from more than one comorbid category of psychiatric disorders. The most common psychiatric disorders in boys and girls were ADHD (18.5%), ODD (15%), ADHD-C (13.5%), GAD (12.8%), ADHD:HI (11.5), and MDD (10.8%). Conclusions: Since most participants suffered from at least one comorbid category of psychiatric disorders, developing a psychological crisis intervention is essential to protect children and adolescents from such disasters and minimize their mental health outcomes.