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Children and COVID-19 Research Library

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

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1261 - 1275 of 2543
Adult mental health and child maltreatment: an ecological study across rural–urban and economic continua with implications for post-pandemic human services

AUTHOR(S)
Paula Yuma; Rebecca Orsi; Anita A. Pena

Published: November 2021   Journal: The Journal of Community Psychology
This ecological, county-level, cross-sectional study examines relationships between the mental health of adults (IV) and child maltreatment report rates (DV), as they vary by socioeconomic distress and rurality (n = 3015 counties), using the most recent available data from several linked sources. In a two-way model, maltreatment reports increased 20.1% for each additional half day of poor mental health in metro counties, 11.7% in nonmetro counties, and 13% in rural counties. Our zero-inflated negative binomial model, moderated by rurality and economic distress, showed a significant relationship between the number of poor mental health days and increased child maltreatment report rates in counties (χ2 = 145.52, p < 0.0001).
Economic stress, parenting, and adolescents’ adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic

AUTHOR(S)
Natalie Low; Nina S. Mounts

Published: November 2021   Journal: Family Relations

This investigation examined pathways through which financial stress impacts parents’ and adolescents’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic-related stress (e.g., financial stress) experienced by parents may indirectly affect adolescents’ well-being, although the pathways involved are currently unknown. Families currently living in the United States and having adolescents between 12 and 18 years old participated in this investigation (N = 272). Parents responded to questionnaires online about their financial situation, personal well-being, relationship with their oldest typically developing adolescent (12–18 years old; Mage = 14.74; SDage = 1.80; 46.4% young women), and their adolescents’ well-being.

Mental health outcomes and experiences of family caregivers of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia

AUTHOR(S)
Guido G. Urizar Jr.; Ivonne Ramírez; Brianna I. Caicedo (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Journal of Community Psychology

This study examined whether certain demographic characteristics, caregiver strain, and coping behaviors were associated with the mental health outcomes of family caregivers of children with disabilities in Bolivia during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A mixed‐methods convergent study design was used with virtual interviews to quantitatively assess caregivers' demographic characteristics, caregiver strain, coping behaviors, and mental health outcomes, as well as qualitatively assess how the pandemic affected their family. Approximately 32%–71% of caregivers experienced poor mental health outcomes (stress, anxiety, and depression), especially among those experiencing poor health,high caregiver strain, and those using maladaptive coping strategies.

mes, aswell as qualitatively assess how the pandemic affected theirfamily. Approximately 32%71% of caregivers experiencedpoor mental health outcomes (stress, anxiety, and depres-sion), especially among those experiencing poor health,high caregiver strain, and those using maladaptive copingstrategies.
The effect of cyberbullying, abuse, and screen time on non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents during the pandemic: a perspective from the mediating role of stress

AUTHOR(S)
Tjhin Wiguna; Kusuma Minayati; Fransiska Kaligis (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Frontiers in Psychiatry
Adolescence is often a period of turmoil. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased adolescents' difficulty due to mental health consequences that may affect their developmental milestones. This study constructed and empirically tested a theoretical model of three predictive factors (cyberbullying, abuse, and screen time) and stress as the mediating factor in adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Structural equation model (SEM) analysis was applied to investigate stress as a mediating factor in the relationship between adolescent NSSI and cyberbullying, abuse, and screen time. This cross-sectional study used a “crowdsourcing” sample collection method to recruit 464 adolescents aged 11–17 years who were administered a questionnaire comprising scales on cyberbullying, abuse, screen time, stress, and NSSI. All scales had construct reliabilities ranging from 0.759 to 0.958. SEM statistical analysis was performed using Lisrel version 8.8 (Scientific Software International, USA) for Windows (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA). The mean (± SD) age of the cohort was 14.61 ± 1.65 years, and consisted of 66.7% females. Secondary high school was the highest educational background (58%).
Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors during COVID-19: associations with psychological distress among mothers

AUTHOR(S)
J. N. de Brito; J. K. Friedman; R. L. Emery (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Journals » International Journal of Women's Health
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increased mothers’ caregiving demands, potentially placing them at increased risk for reduced engagement in healthful behaviors and high psychological distress. The purpose of this study was to describe perceived changes in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviors and the prevalence of different measures of psychological distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect) among mothers. We also evaluated the associations of perceived change in MVPA and sedentary behaviors with measures of psychological distress.
The mental well-being and coping strategies of Canadian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative, cross-sectional study

AUTHOR(S)
Kendra Nelson Ferguson; Stephanie E. Coen; Danielle Tobin (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Cmaj Open

Qualitative research is lacking on the mental well-being of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore the feelings and emotions adolescents experienced during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the coping strategies they identified and employed to manage those emotions. Participants living in Canada aged 13–19 years were recruited through social media platforms and youth-serving organizations. Qualitative data were gathered from 2 open-ended questions included in a youth-informed cross-sectional online survey: “What feelings and emotions have you experienced around the pandemic?” and “What coping strategies have you used during the pandemic?” Data were collected from June 2020 to September 2020. A summative content analysis was undertaken to analyze survey responses inductively.

Maternal attachment representation, the risk of increased depressive symptoms and the influence on children’s mental health during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic

AUTHOR(S)
Franziska Köhler-Dauner; Anna Buchheim; Katherina Hildebrand (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Journal of Child and Family Studies
The social distancing measures and the related closure of education institutions have confronted young families, in particular, with various challenges. Additional risk factors such as an insecure or even unresolved maternal attachment representation may affect mental health of mothers and their children in times of increased stress such as during the ongoing pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the interplay between maternal attachment representation and mother’s and children’s mental health before and during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic. 91 mothers completed a “SARS-CoV-2 pandemic survey” examining the pandemic-related stress of their families including their own depressive symptomology and their children’s mental health.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family mental health in Canada: findings from a multi-round cross-sectional study

AUTHOR(S)
Kimberly C. Thomson; Emily Jenkins; Randip Gill (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Pandemic-related disruptions, including school, child care, and workplace closures, financial stressors, and relationship challenges, present unique risks to families’ mental health. We examined the mental health impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among parents with children <18 years old living at home over three study rounds in May 2020 (n = 618), September 2020 (n = 804), and January 2021 (n = 602). Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey of adults living in Canada, nationally representative by age, gender, household income, and region. Chi-square tests and logistic regression compared outcomes between parents and the rest of the sample, among parent subgroups, and over time. Parents reported worsened mental health compared with before the pandemic, as well as not coping well, increased alcohol use, increased suicidal thoughts/feelings, worsened mental health among their children, and increases in both negative and positive parent–child interactions. Mental health challenges were more frequently reported among parents with pre-existing mental health conditions, disabilities, and financial/relationship stressors. Increased alcohol use was more frequently reported among younger parents and men. Sustained mental health challenges of parents throughout nearly a year of the pandemic suggest that intervention efforts to support family mental health may not be adequately meeting families’ needs.
Following the epidemic waves: child and youth mental health assessments in Ontario through multiple pandemic waves

AUTHOR(S)
Shannon L. Stewart; Aadhiya S. Vasudeva; Jocelyn N. Van Dyke (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Frontiers in Psychiatry
Emerging studies across the globe are reporting the impact of COVID-19 and its related virus containment measures, such as school closures and social distancing, on the mental health presentations and service utilization of children and youth during the early stages of lockdowns in their respective countries. However, there remains a need for studies which examine the impact of COVID-19 on children and youth's mental health needs and service utilization across multiple waves of the pandemic. The present study used data from 35,162 interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health (ChYMH) assessments across 53 participating mental health agencies in Ontario, Canada, to assess the mental health presentations and referral trends of children and youth across the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province.
Vulnerability pathways to mental health outcomes in children and parents during COVID-19

AUTHOR(S)
Jala Rizeq; Daphne J. Korczak; Katherine Tombeau Cost (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Current Psychology
This study examined pathways from pre-existing psychosocial and economic vulnerability to mental health difficulties and stress in families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from two time points from a multi-cohort study initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic were used. Parents of children 6–18 years completed questionnaires on pre-COVID-19 socioeconomic and demographic factors in addition to material deprivation and stress due to COVID-19 restrictions, mental health, and family functioning. Youth 10 years and older also completed their own measures of mental health and stress. Using structural equation modelling, pathways from pre-existing vulnerability to material deprivation and stress due to COVID-19 restrictions, mental health, and family functioning, including reciprocal pathways, were estimated. Pre-existing psychosocial and economic vulnerability predicted higher material deprivation due to COVID-19 restrictions which in turn was associated with parent and child stress due to restrictions and mental health difficulties. The reciprocal effects between increased child and parent stress and greater mental health difficulties at Time 1 and 2 were significant. Reciprocal effects between parent and child mental health were also significant. Finally, family functioning at Time 2 was negatively impacted by child and parent mental health and stress due to COVID-19 restrictions at Time 1.
Under the same roof: parents’ COVID-related stress mediates the associations between household crowdedness and young children's problem behaviors during social distancing

AUTHOR(S)
Zhenlin Wang; Pui Lam Yeung; Xiaozi Gao

Published: November 2021   Journal: Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology
During the COVID-19 pandemic, families worldwide are confined in their homes for an extended period of time due to social distancing. Conducted between April and July of 2021, the current study examined the impact of household crowdedness during school closure on parents’ COVID-related stress and young children's problem behaviors in Hong Kong, one of the world's most densely populated cities. Parents of 228 young children between 3- to 5-year-old reported their household living condition, parents’ COVID-related stress, and their children's externalizing and internalizing behaviors through an online survey.
Factor structure and psychometric properties for the PTSD checklist of Chinese adolescents in the closed period after the COVID-19 outbreak

AUTHOR(S)
Wei Chen; Rongfen Gao; Tao Yang

Published: November 2021   Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
After COVID-19 appeared in China in December 2019, the mental health of adolescents, as a vulnerable group in public health emergencies, was negatively affected by the epidemic and the unprecedented prevention and control measures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL) among Chinese adolescents. A total of 915 participants completed the PTSD. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) and multi-group CFAs were used to test the factor structure and psychometric properties of PTSD.
Perceptions of parenting, parent-child activities and children’s extracurricular activities in times of COVID-19

AUTHOR(S)
Beatriz Ilari; Eun Cho; Jialin Li (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Journal of Child and Family Studies
The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of parenting and parent-child activities in American families with children aged 0–16 after social distance measures were put in place. Through an online questionnaire, it examined the extent to which parental role, age, education, and perceptions of work productivity impacted parent perceptions of six parenting categories (positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, positive relationships, positive emotions, self-efficacy, and routine management) during the initial months of the pandemic. It also examined children’s participation in extracurricular activities, before and after measures of social distancing were implemented. Perceptions of parenting did not differ based on parental roles, education and age, but work productivity had an impact on parents’ perceptions of their own feelings and emotions.
Ethnicity matters in perceived impacts and information sources of COVID-19 among mothers with young children in Australia: a cross-sectional study

AUTHOR(S)
Li Ming Wen; Huilan Xu; Danielle Jawad (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: BMJ Open
This study aimed to investigate perceived impacts, ways of communication with professionals and information sources related to COVID-19, and explore whether these impacts or information sources were associated with ethnicity that is, language spoken at home. Mothers of young children were asked to respond to a set of survey questions related to COVID-19 via telephone. The questions included a mental health scale, and how they communicated with health professionals and their information sources related to COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Change in Japanese children’s 24-hour movement guidelines and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

AUTHOR(S)
Kim Hyunshik; Ma Jiameng; Lee Sunkyoung (et al.)

Published: November 2021   Journal: Scientific Reports
Specialized guidelines are required for the health behaviors of vulnerable populations such as children. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein major lifestyle changes have occurred, especially among young children. The present study aims to use longitudinal data to understand changes in the physical activity, screen time, sleep, and mental health of preschoolers in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic period. Subjective and objective measures were used to assess the variables of interest longitudinally. It was found that physical activity, adherence to WHO-recommended screen time, and prosocial behaviors decreased significantly. On the other hand, sedentary time and hyperactivity increased. Our results are consistent with findings from other countries. The implications with respect to outdoor playtime, screen-time in the context of online learning during the pandemic, and the effects of parents’ mental health on preschool-aged children are discussed.
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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.