Innocenti Research Report MIND THE GAP: Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Interventions – An evidence and gap map of low and middle-income countries Published: 2022 Innocenti Research Report Mental disorders affect about 1 in 7 children and adolescents worldwide, with 50% arising before the age of 14. Despite the high burden and early onset, most conditions remain unrecognized and untreated. We mapped evidence on the effectiveness of child and adolescent (ages 0-19) mental health and psychosocial support interventions in low- and middle-income countries within the last 12 years and identified 697 records from 78 countries. The field is reactive rather than proactive, with most interventions focusing on treatment rather than promotion or prevention. Most mental health research is conducted in educational settings and focuses on early and late adolescence. Research on early childhood interventions as well as evidence to address the mental health and psychosocial needs of children in humanitarian settings are scarce. Mental health intervention research lacks diversity: less than one third of studies and reviews focused on specific population groups. Despite the known potential for digital interventions to overcome a range of barriers, the field is understudied with very limited evidence across all outcomes. In 60 countries, no research was identified. There were also important geographical disparities and research gaps in West and Central Africa. + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 58 | Thematic area: Mental Health | Tags: adolescent health, adolescent psychology, adolescent well-being, adolescents, child mental health, data analysis, data collection, low-income countries, mental health, mental health services, middle-income countries × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION 2022 MIND THE GAP: Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Interventions – An evidence and gap map of low and middle-income countries . , pp. 58.
Innocenti Research Report Life in Colours: Children’s and adolescents’ experiences, perceptions and opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic AUTHOR(S) Francesca Viola; Maria Rosaria Centrone; Gwyther Rees Published: 2022 Innocenti Research Report This report recounts the journeys of a group of adolescents through the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, one of the first countries to be affected by the virus. It is the first product of an in-depth qualitative study that aims to understand the experiences of children and young people from their point of view and through their words.The data for this project were collected online between February and June 2021 with 114 participants between the ages of 10 and 19, who attended lower and upper secondary schools in 16 regions of Italy, and included children and young people who identify as LGBTQI+, unaccompanied and separated children, and adolescents from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 100 | Tags: adolescent health, adolescent well-being, adolescents, child mental health, COVID-19, italy, mental health × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION Francesca Viola; Maria Rosaria Centrone; Gwyther Rees 2022 Life in Colours: Children’s and adolescents’ experiences, perceptions and opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic. , pp. 100.
Innocenti Working Papers Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing Across the Life Course: Towards an Integrated Conceptual Framework for Research and Evidence Generation AUTHOR(S) Priscilla Idele; Manasi Sharma; Camila Perera Aladro; Prerna Banati; David Anthony Published: 2022 Innocenti Working Papers Mental health conditions affect about 1 in 7 adolescents globally. In the context of COVID-19, the importance of mental health and psychosocial support for all has been undoubtedly confirmed. Despite the increased attention to mental health issues, there is a dearth of evidence on what determines child and adolescent mental health, who is most at risk, and what works to foster mental health across contexts, cultures and distinct population groups. This conceptual framework aims to inform research on child and adolescent mental health. It incorporates children’s developmental stages and the dynamic environment in which they live and grow. Informed by a review of existing theoretical frameworks on mental health and child development, this framework integrates elements of the socio-ecological model; the life course approach; the social determinants of health approach; and Innocenti Report Card’s Worlds of Influence Framework. Combining diverse aspects of these frameworks and approaches, we propose an integrated model to guide UNICEF’s research in this area. + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 14 | Thematic area: Mental Health | Tags: adolescent well-being, adolescents, child mental health, COVID-19, life course, mental health, risk, suicide × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION Priscilla Idele; Manasi Sharma; Camila Perera Aladro; Prerna Banati; David Anthony 2022 Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing Across the Life Course: Towards an Integrated Conceptual Framework for Research and Evidence Generation. , pp. 14.
Innocenti Research Report Vite a Colori: Esperienze, percezioni e opinioni di bambinə e ragazzə sulla pandemia di Covid-19 in Italia AUTHOR(S) Francesca Viola; Maria Rosaria Centrone; Gwyther Rees Published: 2021 Innocenti Research Report Il rapporto Vite a Colori racconta le esperienze, percezioni ed opinioni di un gruppo di adolescenti sul primo anno di pandemia di Covid-19 in Italia cercando di comprendere le loro esperienze e punti di vista, attraverso le loro parole.La raccolta dati si è svolta tra febbraio e giugno 2021 con 114 partecipanti tra i 10 e i 19 anni, frequentanti le scuole superiori del primo e del secondo ciclo di 16 regioni italiane. Bambinɘ e ragazzɘ che si identificano come LGBTQI+, minori stranieri non accompagnati (MSNA) e adolescenti con background socioeconomico svantaggiato sono stati deliberatamente inclusi nel campione interessato dalla ricerca. + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 100 | Thematic area: Adolescents well-being | Tags: adolescent health, adolescent well-being, adolescents, COVID-19, italy × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION Francesca Viola; Maria Rosaria Centrone; Gwyther Rees 2021 Vite a Colori: Esperienze, percezioni e opinioni di bambinə e ragazzə sulla pandemia di Covid-19 in Italia. , pp. 100.
Innocenti Working Papers Non-contributory Social Protection and Adolescents in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries: A review of government programming and impacts AUTHOR(S) Cristina Cirillo; Tia Palermo; Francesca Viola Published: 2021 Innocenti Working Papers Adolescents face unique vulnerabilities related to their health, schooling and the intensification of gender socialization. As the next generation next in line to become adults, their transition has major implications for the future health, economic growth and well-being of nations. Yet, children and adolescents have low rates of social protection coverage globally – a missed opportunity for investment.This report examines how social protection can promote adolescent well-being and facilitate safe and productive transitions to adulthood in lower- and middle-income countries. Focusing on government, non-contributory programmes, the following questions are examined: 1) whether and how current non-contributory social protection programmes are adolescent-sensitive and 2) what is the impact of non-contributory social protection programmes on adolescents. + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 110 | Thematic area: Social protection | Tags: adolescent well-being, adolescents, gender issues, mental health, schooling, social protection × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION Cristina Cirillo; Tia Palermo; Francesca Viola 2021 Non-contributory Social Protection and Adolescents in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries: A review of government programming and impacts. , pp. 110.
Innocenti Research Report Life in Lockdown: Child and adolescent mental health and well-being in the time of COVID-19 Published: 2021 Innocenti Research Report COVID-19 lockdowns have significantly disrupted the daily lives of children and adolescents, with increased time at home, online learning and limited physical social interaction. This report seeks to understand the immediate effects on their mental health. Covering more than 130,000 children and adolescents across 22 countries, the evidence shows increased stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as increased alcohol and substance use, and externalizing behavioural problems. Children and adolescents also reported positive coping strategies, resilience, social connectedness through digital media, more family time, and relief from academic stress. Factors such as demographics, relationships and pre-existing conditions are critical. To ensure children and adolescents are supported, the report recommends building the evidence on the longer-term impact of the pandemic on child and adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries, including vulnerable populations. + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 118 | Thematic area: Mental Health | Tags: adolescent well-being, adolescents, alcohol, contact with family, COVID-19, COVID-19 response, family, family environment, family life, high-income countries, low-income countries, mental health, middle-income countries, online learning, post traumatic stress disorder, psychological distress, schools, stress, suicide × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION 2021 Life in Lockdown: Child and adolescent mental health and well-being in the time of COVID-19. , pp. 118.
Innocenti Working Papers Rapid Review Protocol - Life in Lockdown: Child and adolescent mental health and well-being in the time of COVID-19 Published: 2021 Innocenti Working Papers While there has been a global rush to generate rapid evidence on COVID-19 mental health impacts among adults, limited evidence exists on the potential impacts on children. This is the protocol for our rapid review that seeks to (i) understand the immediate impact of COVID-19’s first wave on the mental health of children and adolescents (0–19 years); and (ii) apply lessons learned from this pandemic to mitigate the impacts of future health crises.The key research questions of this review are: What has been the immediate impact of COVID-19 and associated containment measures on the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents?How and which risk and protective factors have affected mental health during COVID-19 and have they varied across subgroups of children and adolescents? + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 13 | Thematic area: Adolescents, Adolescents well-being, Child well-being, Mental Health | Tags: adolescent well-being, adolescents, child mental health, child well-being, COVID-19, mental health × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION 2021 Rapid Review Protocol - Life in Lockdown: Child and adolescent mental health and well-being in the time of COVID-19. , pp. 13.
Innocenti Discussion Papers Investigating Risks and Opportunities for Children in a Digital World: A rapid review of the evidence on children’s internet use and outcomes AUTHOR(S) Mariya Stoilova; Sonia Livingstone; Rana Khazbak Published: 2021 Innocenti Discussion Papers Children’s lives are increasingly mediated by digital technologies. Yet, when it comes to understanding the long-term effects of internet use and online experiences on their well-being, mental health or resilience, the best we can do is make an educated guess. Our need for this knowledge has become even more acute as internet use rises during COVID-19. This report explores what has been learned from the latest research about children’s experiences and outcomes relating to the internet and digital technologies. It aims to inform policy-makers, educators, child-protection specialists, industry and parents on the best evidence, and it proposes a future research agenda. + - Cite this publication | No. of pages: 32 | Thematic area: Adolescents well-being, Child well-being, Children's Participation, Kids online, Rights of the Child | Tags: access to education, access to information, adolescent well-being, child well-being, children's participation, COVID-19, internet, online learning, risk, vulnerable children × COPY BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION Mariya Stoilova; Sonia Livingstone; Rana Khazbak 2021 Investigating Risks and Opportunities for Children in a Digital World: A rapid review of the evidence on children’s internet use and outcomes. , pp. 32.