Does COVID-19 infection have an impact on children\u2019s psychological problems?

Gellan K Ahmed,Khaled Elbeh,Hamdy M Gomaa,Saeed Soliman

doi:10.1186/s43045-021-00155-z

Gellan K Ahmed, Khaled Elbeh + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-021-00155-z

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Abstract

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a significant impact on children, adolescents, and their families. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of children’s psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association of COVID-19 infection in children and their risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 148 children aged 6–12 years old categorized into 2 groups based on COVID-19 infection history. Participants were assessed by the Socioeconomic Scale and the Checklist for Children’s Behavior (CBCL).ResultsChildren who had COVID-19 had a high percentage of problems regarding family, school, social, financial, and parent problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding CBCL, children who had COVID-19 infection had a higher percentage of clinical rating than the other group regarding withdrawal (11.1% vs. 8.9%), anxious/depressed (33.3% vs. 25%), somatic (11.1% vs. 10.7%), internalizing (61.1% vs. 48.2%), externalizing (38.9% vs. 35.7%), and total problems (50% vs. 44.6%). Family history of psychiatric disorder and the presence of three or more offspring were at high risk for internalizing problems, while those with school problems during pandemic were more vulnerable for internalizing and total problems.ConclusionChildren with COVID-19 infection had a higher risk of developing psychological problems, such as withdrawal, anxiety/depression, somatic, internalizing, externalizing, and total problems.

Highlights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a significant impact on children, adolescents, and their families
Children with a family history of psychiatric disorder, and the presence of three or more offspring were more vulnerable to internalizing problems while children who had school problems during pandemic were more vulnerable to internalizing and total problems
Children who had a family history of psychiatric disorder, and the presence of three or more offspring were more vulnerable to internalizing problems while children who had school problems during pandemic were more vulnerable for internalizing and total problems

Summary

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a significant impact on children, adolescents, and their families. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of children’s psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association of COVID-19 infection in children and their risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 148 children aged 6–12 years old categorized into 2 groups based on COVID-19 infection history. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a significant impact on people all over the world. Contact limitations, and financial closure would all have a profound effect on the psychological environment of the impacted countries. Children, adolescence, and their families are severely affected by the current circumstances [1].

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