Logo UNICEF Innocenti
Office of Research-Innocenti
menu icon

Children and COVID-19 Research Library

UNICEF Innocenti's curated library of COVID-19 + Children research

RESULTS:   104     SORT BY:

ADVANCED SEARCH:

Select one or more filter options and click search below.

PUBLICATION DATE:
UNICEF Innocenti Publication
UNICEF Publication
Open Access
JOURNAL ACCESS FOR UNICEF STAFF CONTACT US
31 - 45 of 104
Parents under stress: Evaluating emergency childcare policies during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany

AUTHOR(S)
Simone Schüller; Hannah S. Steinberg

Published: July 2022   Journal: Labour Economics
What are the effects of school and daycare facility closures during the COVID-19 pandemic on parental well-being and parenting behavior? Can emergency childcare policies during a pandemic mitigate increases in parental stress and negative parenting behavior? To answer these questions, this study leverages cross-state variation in emergency childcare eligibility rules during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany and draws on unique data from the 2019 and 2020 waves of the German AID:A family panel.
Risks and resources for depressive symptoms and anxiety in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic – Results of the longitudinal COPSY study

AUTHOR(S)
Neslihan Güzelsoy; Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer; Joachim Westenhöfer (et al.)

Published: July 2022   Journal: Frontiers in Psychiatry

Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is of particularly high relevance. Especially for children and adolescents, the pandemic and its restrictions represent a significant burden. The present study aims to identify risks and resources for depressive symptoms and anxiety in children and adolescents during the pandemic in Germany. Self-reported data from the first wave of the longitudinal COVID-19 and Psychological Health (COPSY) study were used to investigate risks and resources among n = 811 children and adolescents aged 11–17 years. Depressive symptoms and anxiety were measured at the first follow-up 6 months later. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the effects of risks and resources on depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Gloomy and out of control? Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on momentary optimism in daily live of adolescents

AUTHOR(S)
Larissa L. Wieczorek; Eva Bleckmann; Naemi D. Brandt (et al.)

Published: June 2022   Journal: Current Psychology
In the global COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents are regarded as especially burdened due to school closures and leisure activities being banned, often reducing peer contacts to zero. Experiencing restrictions while being uninvolved in decision-making processes left them with little control over their daily lives. Meanwhile, research highlights that optimism can act as a buffer against the impact of daily hassles and is considered an important resource for mental health. To understand the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for adolescents' lives, this study examined how momentary perceived control and perceived personal and societal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic relate to momentary optimism. Using experience-sampling data from N = 242 (Mage = 15.89; 86% female) adolescents assessed during the second pandemic wave in Germany, multilevel modeling revealed positive associations between adolescents’ momentary perceived control and their momentary optimism at both the within- and between-person level.
Mental health of children with and without special healthcare needs and of their caregivers during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

AUTHOR(S)
Anne Geweniger; Anneke Haddad; Michael Barth (et al.)

Published: June 2022

This paper aims to describe mental health outcomes and measures of pandemic burden of children with and without special healthcare needs, and their caregivers following the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. This is the second of a sequential series of cross-sectional online surveys conducted among caregivers of children ≤18 years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, administrated between 2 April 2021 and 31 July 2021.

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on physical performance, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life in professional youth soccer players

AUTHOR(S)
Jil Keemss; Johanna Sieland; Florian Pfab (et al.)

Published: June 2022   Journal: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak led to the declaration of a pandemic. The accompanying restrictions on public life caused a change in the training routines of athletes worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a 13-week supervised home training program on physical performance, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life in professional youth soccer players during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany. Eight professional soccer players (age range 16–19; height: 1.81 ± 0.07 m; body weight: 72.05 ± 6.96 kg) from a Bundesliga team in Germany participated in this study. During the lockdown, they trained 5–6 days per week with home-based training plans and were monitored via tracking apps and video training. To determine the effects of home training, measurements were taken before (March 2020) and after (June 2020) the home training period. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to determine body composition, and an isokinetic strength test and a treadmill step test, including lactate measurements, were used to measure physical performance. Two questionnaires were responded to in order to assess health-related quality of life [Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36)] and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).

Post-COVID-19 conditions in children and adolescents diagnosed with COVID-19

AUTHOR(S)
Karel Kostev; Lee Smith; Ai Koyanagi (et al.)

Published: May 2022   Journal: Pediatric Research

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and the factors associated with post-COVID-2019 condition in COVID-19 children and adolescents in Germany. The present retrospective cohort study used data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA), and included patients aged <18 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in one of 524 general and 81 pediatric practices in Germany between October 2020 and August 2021 (index date: first COVID-19 diagnosis). Post-COVID-19 condition was assessed between the index date and November 2021. Covariates included age, sex, type of practice, and chronic conditions documented in at least 1% of the population.

Cite this research | Open access | No. of pages: 6 | Language: English | Topics: Health | Tags: adolescent health, child health, COVID-19, infectious disease, pandemic | Countries: Germany
A cross-sectional investigation of psychosocial stress factors in German families with children aged 0-3 years during the COVID-19 pandemic: initial results of the CoronabaBY study

AUTHOR(S)
Catherine Buechel; Ina Nehring; Clara Seifert (et al.)

Published: May 2022   Journal: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Psychosocial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing particularly in parents. Although being specifically vulnerable to negative environmental exposures, research on psychosocial stress factors in infants’ and toddlers’ families during the pandemic is so far sparse. The CoronabaBY study investigates the perceived pandemic burden, parenting stress and parent and child mental health problems in families with children aged 0–3 years in Bavaria, Southern Germany. Further, the relationships between these psychosocial stressors are examined and sociodemographic characteristics that may be predictive of these factors will be explored. Participants were cross-sectionally surveyed via smartphone app. Standardized questionnaires on perceived pandemic burden, parenting stress, parental symptoms of depression and anxiety, infants’ crying, sleeping and feeding problems or toddlers’ emotional and behavioral problems were applied.

Mental health and health-related quality of life in German adolescents after the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

AUTHOR(S)
Justine Hussong; Eva Möhler; Anna Kühn (et al.)

Published: May 2022   Journal: Children
Evaluations after the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany showed an increase in mental health problems and a reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the study was to assess those aspects after the third wave of COVID-19 in adolescents who decided to receive a vaccination. In students aged 12–17 years recruited from schools in one German region, mental health (by the strengths and difficulties questionnaire, SDQ) and HRQoL (by KIDSCREEN-10) were assessed by both a self- and parental report. Data from 1412 adolescents (mean age 14.3 years, SD = 1.64) and 908 parents were collected. The mean self-reported HRQoL was T = 53.7 (SD = 11.2), significantly higher in boys than in girls and higher in younger (12–14 years) than in older (15–17 years) adolescents. In total, 18.7% of adolescents reported clinically relevant psychological symptoms, especially peer problems (23.5%), emotional problems (17.4%), and hyperactivity (17.1%). Comparing the present data to evaluations after the first and second waves of COVID-19, adolescents rated a higher HRQoL and reported less mental health problems after the third wave. After 1.5 years of living with the pandemic, adolescents have adapted to the changes in everyday life. Further, the relaxation of restrictions, better school organization, and the prospect of the vaccination may have increased optimism, wellbeing, and contentment, leading to declining but still alarming rates of psychological symptoms.
School health promotion in pandemic times. Results of the COVID-HL school principal study

AUTHOR(S)
Kevin Dadaczynski; Orkan Okan; Melanie Messer

Published: May 2022   Journal: Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz
Die vorliegende Studie untersucht, in welchem Ausmaß Schulen Maßnahmen der Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention während der COVID-19-Pandemie umsetzen. Von besonderem Interesse sind hierbei Unterschiede nach demografischen Variablen, Schulform, Bundesland und die Beteiligung an Landesinitiativen der Gesundheitsförderung.
Pediatric intensive care unit admissions after adolescent suicide attempts during the pandemic.

AUTHOR(S)
Nora Bruns; Lea Willemsen; Andreas Stang (et al.)

Published: May 2022   Journal: Pediatrics

The worldwide SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic challenges adolescents’ mental health. The aim of this study was to compare the number of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions after suicide attempts during the first German lockdown and one year later during a second, prolonged lockdown with pre-pandemic years. A retrospective multicenter study was conducted among 27 German PICUs. Cases <18 years admitted to the PICU due to accidents or injuries between March 16th and May 31st of 2017-2021 were identified based on ICD-10 codes (German modification) and patient data entered into a database. This study is a subset analysis on suicide attempts in adolescents aged 12–17.9 years. The Federal Statistics Office was queried for data on fatal suicides, which were available only for 2020 in adolescents aged 10–17.9 years.

Work-to-family conflict and parenting practices: examining the role of working from home among lone and partnered working mothers

AUTHOR(S)
Janine Bernhardt; Claudia Recksiedler

Published: May 2022   Journal: Journal of Family Research

This study investigates associations between work-to-family conflict and parenting practices among lone and partnered working mothers and the role of working from home as a potential resource gain or drain for acting empathetically and supportively towards their children. Emerging evidence suggests that work-to-family conflict reduces responsive parenting practices, yet prior studies have rarely examined disparities by family structure. Although working from home has recently gained in importance in the workforce, there is still little research on its implications for the relationship between work-to-family conflict and the quality of parenting practices. If working from home is not used to do supplemental work during overtime hours, it may free up mothers’ time and emotional resources. In turn, this may either buffer the harmful impact of work-to-family conflict on parenting practices or indirectly enhance the quality of parenting practices by reducing work-to-family conflict. This could be particularly beneficial for lone mothers, who experience more role and time strain.

Measuring parents’ readiness to vaccinate themselves and their children against COVID-19

AUTHOR(S)
Franziska Rees; Mattis Geiger; Lau Lilleholt (et al.)

Published: May 2022   Journal: Vaccine
To reach high vaccination rates against COVID-19, children and adolescents should be also vaccinated. To improve childhood vaccination rates and vaccination readiness, parents need to be addressed since they decide about the vaccination of their children. This study adapted the 7C of vaccination readiness scale to measure parents’ readiness to vaccinate their children and evaluated the scale in a long and a short version in two studies. The study was first evaluated with a sample of N = 244 parents from the German COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO) and validated with N = 464 parents from the Danish COSMO.
Short report: weight management of children and adolescents with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

AUTHOR(S)
Nina Eisenburger; David Friesen; Fabiola Haas (et al.)

Published: April 2022   Journal: Plos One
The aim of this analysis was to assess the effectiveness of a juvenile outpatient weight management program during the coronavirus pandemic in Germany, which was implemented digitally during the initial lockdown and thereafter under strict hygiene rules (e.g., adapted exercise sessions). Changes in body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI SDS), physical fitness, media consumption, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and social self-concept of 28 children and adolescents were compared to data of 30 participants before the pandemic.
Childcare, work or worries? What explains the decline in parents' well-being at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany?

AUTHOR(S)
Basha Vicari; Gundula Zoch; Ann-Christin Bächmann (et al.)

Published: April 2022   Journal: Journal of Family Research

This study examines how care arrangements, general and altered working conditions, and worries influenced subjective well-being at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic for working parents in Germany. Prior research suggests several reasons for declines in subjective well-being, particularly for working mothers. This study employs Pearlin's (1989) stress process model to explore the role of parental childcare, altered working conditions and amplified worries of working parents in terms of increased stressors and modified resources to cope with the extraordinary situation.

Rightly blamed the ‘bad guy’? Grandparental childcare and COVID-19

AUTHOR(S)
Christina Boll; Till Nikolka

Published: April 2022   Journal: Journal of Public Finance and Public Choice
This study explores the link between regular grandparental childcare and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates at the level of German counties. This analysis suggests that a region’s infection rates are shaped by region-, household- and individual-specific parameters. It extensively draws on the latter, exploring the intra- and extra-familial mechanisms fuelling individual contact frequency to test the potential role of regular grandparental childcare in explaining overall infection rates.
Cite this research | Open access | Vol.: 37 | Issue: 1 | No. of pages: 23 | Language: English | Topics: Health | Tags: child health, COVID-19, disease prevention, disease transmission, family environment, infectious disease, pandemic | Countries: Germany
31 - 45 of 104

UNICEF Innocenti's Children and COVID-19 Library is a database collecting research from around the world on COVID-19 and its impacts on children and adolescents.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DATABASE

Subscribe to updates on new research about COVID-19 & children

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Share:

facebook twitter linkedin google+ reddit print email
Article Article

Check our quarterly thematic digests on children and COVID-19

Each quarterly thematic digest features the latest evidence drawn from the Children and COVID-19 Research Library on a particular topic of interest.
Campaign Campaign

COVID-19 & Children: Rapid Research Response

UNICEF Innocenti is mobilizing a rapid research response in line with UNICEF’s global response to the COVID-19 crisis. The initiatives we’ve begun will provide the broad range of evidence needed to inform our work to scale up rapid assessment, develop urgent mitigating strategies in programming and advocacy, and preparation of interventions to respond to the medium and longer-term consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. The research projects cover a rapid review of evidence, education analysis, and social and economic policies.