Anxiety increased among children and adolescents during pandemic-related school closures in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Considering the heterogenous evidence, a systematic review of the change in anxiety in European children and adolescents associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking. We therefore assessed the change compared with pre-pandemic baselines stratified by gender and age as well as evaluated the impact of country-specific restriction policies.

Methods

A registration on the 'International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews' (PROSPERO) occurred and an a priori protocol was published. We searched six databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, WHO COVID-19) using a peer-reviewed search string with citation tracking and grey literature screening. Primary outcomes were: (1) general anxiety symptoms; and (2)

SUBMITTER: Ludwig-Walz H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10286360 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature