Enforced Isolation: How does it affect the Psychosocial and Physical Development of Children?

Sevim Asvaroğlu,Fezile Olkanlı

doi:10.15405/ejsbs.286

Abstract

This paper discusses the impact of enforced isolation brought on by the Covid19 restrictions on the psychosocial development and physical well-being of children through a review of relevant literature as the research method. The analysis of the reviewed literature has identified that the impact of enforced isolation include mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety as well as physical concerns such as obesity which can have long-lasting effects into adulthood. Severe outcomes extending into adulthood include substance abuse, self-harm, aggressive behaviours and suicidal ideation. The study also offers some solutions on ways to mitigate the effects of enforced isolation on the psychosocial development of children. Maintaining children’s physical well-being during the lockdown are also offered as part of the solutions.

Highlights

Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future
It has been found that social isolation affects some children more than it does others because some children are more susceptible than others in their ability to regulate the impact as they are able to utilise social support patterns that deflect the risks of social isolation on themselves
Research has established that the effects of isolation of children contributed to the disruption of children’s brain development by inhibiting the production and subsequent function of a protein in the brain that is crucial for the development of the nervous system

Summary

Introduction

Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future. John F. Another literature review study by Loades et al (2020) concur that; Social distancing and school closures are likely to result in increased loneliness in children and adolescents whose usual social contacts are curtailed by the disease containment measures. It has been established that enforced isolation does have a detrimental effect on the psychosocial development of children and young adults by affecting their mental wellbeing. Studies like that of Zhang et al (2020) have highlighted that the impact of isolation on children mainly affects their brain development thereby impinging on their ability to interact socially with their environment. Isolated children have a high risk of mental health problems, especially when they have moved to the stage of adulthood. It has been found that social isolation affects some children more than it does others because some children are more susceptible than others in their ability to regulate the impact as they are able to utilise social support patterns that deflect the risks of social isolation on themselves

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Conclusion