How Does the COVID-19 Lockdown Affect Children's Mental Health?

What you need to know

• Children’s emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms during COVID-19 lockdown were associated with parental mental health problems and financial difficulties
• Children who had sleep problems and increased screen time were more likely to experience psychological difficulties
• Parents and professionals caring for children should pay special attention to children’s mental health needs during unprecedented situations like the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread lockdowns and school closures around the world. While these measures aim to contain the spread of the virus, they may have unintended consequences for children’s mental health and well-being. This study examined risk factors associated with children’s emotional difficulties and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention during the COVID-19 lockdown in France.

How the study was conducted

Researchers surveyed 432 parents from an ongoing cohort study in France during the fifth week of lockdown in April 2020. Parents completed questionnaires about their children’s mental health, sleep, and screen time, as well as their own mental health, substance use, and financial situation. The children were on average 6.8 years old.

The researchers used a validated questionnaire called the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess children’s emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. They then analyzed what factors were associated with higher levels of these psychological difficulties in children.

Key findings

Prevalence of psychological difficulties

• 7.1% of children had high levels of emotional difficulties
• 24.7% of children had high levels of hyperactivity/inattention symptoms

Risk factors for children’s emotional difficulties

Children were more likely to experience emotional difficulties if:

• They had sleeping problems
• They had more than 1 hour of screen time per day
• Their parents had symptoms of anxiety or depression
• Their family experienced financial difficulties during lockdown

Risk factors for hyperactivity/inattention symptoms

Children were more likely to show hyperactivity/inattention symptoms if:

• They had sleeping problems
• Their parents had symptoms of anxiety or depression
• Their family experienced financial difficulties
• Their parents were unemployed or on sick leave during lockdown

Parental mental health and financial stress

One of the most significant findings was the strong association between parental mental health and children’s psychological difficulties. Children whose parents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression were over 5 times more likely to experience emotional difficulties and over 2.5 times more likely to show hyperactivity/inattention symptoms.

This aligns with previous research showing that parental mental health problems increase the risk of psychological difficulties in children. During stressful periods like a pandemic lockdown, children rely heavily on their parents for emotional support and a sense of security. When parents are struggling with their own mental health, it may be harder for them to provide this support.

Financial stress was another key factor associated with children’s mental health. Families experiencing financial difficulties during lockdown were more likely to have children with both emotional and behavioral problems. Economic instability can create stress and anxiety for the whole family, which may impact children’s well-being.

Sleep and screen time

The study found that children with sleep problems were at higher risk for both emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms. This may be a bidirectional relationship - psychological difficulties can disrupt sleep, and poor sleep can worsen mental health symptoms.

Increased screen time (more than 1 hour per day) was associated with a higher likelihood of emotional difficulties in children. With school closures and stay-at-home orders, many children likely had increased screen use during lockdown. While some screen time may be necessary for online learning and staying connected, excessive use could potentially impact mental health.

Implications for parents and caregivers

These findings highlight several areas where parents and caregivers can focus to support children’s mental health during challenging times:

• Prioritize your own mental health as a parent. Seek support if you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress.
• Maintain consistent sleep routines for children and limit screen time where possible.
• If experiencing financial difficulties, look into available support services and resources.
• Create opportunities for children to discuss their feelings and concerns.
• Maintain structure and routines as much as possible, even when normal activities are disrupted.

Implications for healthcare providers and policymakers

For those working with children and families:

• Screen for and address parental mental health issues when assessing children’s well-being.
• Provide guidance on healthy sleep habits and appropriate screen time limits during lockdowns.
• Consider the impact of financial stress on family mental health and connect families with relevant support services.
• Develop interventions to support children’s mental health that can be delivered remotely or while maintaining physical distancing.

For policymakers:

• Ensure mental health support services remain accessible during lockdowns, including remote options.
• Consider the mental health impacts on children when making decisions about school closures and lockdown measures.
• Provide financial support for families facing economic hardship due to the pandemic.

Limitations of the study

It’s important to note some limitations of this research:

• The study relied on parent reports of children’s mental health, which could be influenced by the parent’s own mental state.
• Children’s mental health was only assessed once during lockdown, so the study can’t show how symptoms may have changed over time.
• The study didn’t have information on children’s mental health before the pandemic, so it’s unclear if these difficulties were new or pre-existing.
• The sample may not be fully representative of all families in France.

Conclusions

• Children’s emotional and behavioral difficulties during COVID-19 lockdown were associated with parental mental health problems, family financial difficulties, sleep problems, and increased screen time.
• Parents and professionals caring for children should be aware of these risk factors and provide support accordingly.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on children’s mental health and to develop effective interventions.

This study provides valuable insights into the factors affecting children’s mental health during an unprecedented global crisis. By understanding these risk factors, we can better support children and families through challenging times and promote resilience in the face of adversity.