Trajectories and correlates of mental health among urban, school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic posed numerous obstacles to psychosocial wellbeing for children. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate child mental health and social risks during the pandemic.

Methods

Participants were 172 caregivers of children aged 6-11 years old who attended well child visits within 6 months before pandemic onset at an urban safety net hospital in the US. Prepandemic data was extracted from the electronic medical record, and surveys were administered at three time points between August 2020 and July 2021. We measured mental health symptoms with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17, social risks (e.g., food and housing insecurity) with the THRIVE questionnaire, and school modality (in-person, hybrid, remote).

Results

Compared to pre-pandemic,

SUBMITTER: Oblath R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10941406 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature