Interplay between long-term vulnerability and new risk: Young adolescent and maternal mental health immediately before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nicola Wright,Helen Sharp,Jonathan Hill,Andrew Pickles

doi:10.1111/jcv2.12008

Abstract

BackgroundWe examine whether there has been an increase in young adolescent and maternal mental health problems from pre‐ to post‐onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsChildren aged 11–12 years and their mothers participating in a UK population‐based birth cohort (Wirral Child Health and Development Study) provided mental health data between December 2019 and March 2020, and again 3 months after lockdown, 89% (N = 202) of 226 assessed pre‐COVID‐19. Emotional and behavioural problems were assessed by self‐ and maternal reports, and long‐term vulnerability by maternal report of prior child adjustment, and maternal prenatal depression.ResultsThe young adolescents reported a 44% (95% confidence interval [CI: 23%–65%]) increase in symptoms of depression and 26% (95% CI [12%–40%]) for post‐traumatic stress disorder, with corresponding maternal reports of child symptoms of 71% (95% CI [44%–99%]) and 43% (95% CI 29%–86%). Disruptive behaviour problem symptoms increased by 76% (95% CI [43%–109%]) particularly in children without previous externalising symptoms. Both female gender and having had high internalising symptoms earlier in childhood were associated with elevated rates of depression pre‐pandemic, and with greater absolute increases during COVID‐19. Mothers' own depression symptoms increased by 42% (95% CI [20%–65%]), and this change was greater among mothers who had prenatal depression. No change in anxiety was observed among children or mothers. None of these increases were moderated by COVID‐19‐related experiences such as frontline worker status of a parent. Prior to the pandemic, rates of maternal and child depression were greater in families experiencing higher deprivation, but changed only in less deprived families, raising their rates to those of the high deprivation group.ConclusionsCOVID‐19 has led to a marked increase in mental health problems in young adolescents and their mothers with concomitant requirements for mental health services to have the resources to adapt to meet the level and nature of the needs.

Highlights

There is widespread concern regarding the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated lockdown and social distancing measures on the mental health of children and adolescents
Background: We examine whether there has been an increase in young adolescent and maternal mental health problems from pre‐ to post‐onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Children's depressive symptoms increased by 94% (p < .001); the increase was reduced to 71% (p < .001) after adjusting for levels of maternal depression, a potential source of reporting bias

Summary

Introduction

There is widespread concern regarding the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated lockdown and social distancing measures on the mental health of children and adolescents. We report on the mental health of 12‐year‐old children from a general population birth cohort, comparing their levels of emotional and behavioural problems immediately prior to, and during, the pandemic This provides a design almost as strong as a randomised control trial, so the study findings can be readily attributed to a COVID‐19 pandemic effect at a crucial time point in the emergence of vulnerability for depression. But not parent, report, Widnall et al (2020) found no increase in depressive symptoms and a slight decrease in anxiety symptoms in 13–14‐year olds (n = 770, 44% follow‐up rate) who had been assessed 5 months prior to the pandemic. Conclusions: COVID‐19 has led to a marked increase in mental health problems in young adolescents and their mothers with concomitant requirements for mental health services to have the resources to adapt to meet the level and nature of the needs

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