A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Affective Disorders analyzed the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents. This article, which includes 23 studies and nearly 58,000 minors, revealed alarming rates of mental health problems in this population during the pandemic period between 2019 and 2020.
What do we know about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents and young people?
Ma et al. (2021) found that, overall, adolescents and young people aged 13 to 18 were more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. The researchers reported that 26% experienced symptoms of anxiety, 29% reported symptoms of depression, and 48% showed signs related to post-traumatic stress. Regarding sleep quality, 44% of adolescents and youngsters reported difficulties to sleep.
Why did this increase occur?
The authors of the systematic review and meta-analysis suggest several factors linked to the early phase of the pandemic, such as school shutdown, social isolation caused by lockdowns, disrupted routines, and economic uncertainty. All of these causes significantly contributed to further increase children and adolescents’ emotional distress during the health crisis, according to the researchers.
This is one of the first global analyses providing strong evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on child and adolescent mental health, highlighting the urgent need for resources and strategies to address this situation.
Moving forward
The authors conclude that the pandemic has left a profound mark on young people’s well-being and emphasize the importance of prioritizing prevention programs and mental health interventions tailored to this population, especially in global crisis scenarios.
