The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Mental Wellbeing in Children with a Chronic Condition Compared to Healthy Peers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Elise M. van de Putte¹  Sabine E. I. van der Laan¹  Annelieke B. Schoen¹  Lyan H. Rodijk¹  Sanne L. Nijhof¹  Johanna W. Hoefnagels¹  Cornelis K. van der Ent²  Geertje W. Dalmeijer³ 

[1] Department of Paediatrics, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands;Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands;Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands;

关键词: adolescents;    child health;    chronic disease;    cohort study;    COVID-19;    mental wellbeing;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph19052953

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental wellbeing of children 8–18 years old with chronic conditions, by comparing pandemic data with pre-pandemic data and with healthy peers. Data were obtained from two ongoing longitudinal cohorts: the PROactive cohort study following children with a chronic condition, and the WHISTLER population cohort. Mental wellbeing was assessed by three indicators: life satisfaction, internalising symptoms, and psychosomatic health. The stringency of the COVID-19-related lockdown was considered a moderating factor. Data on chronic patients were recorded before (n = 934, 65% girls) and during (n = 503, 61% girls) the pandemic, and compared to healthy peers during the pandemic (n = 166, 61% girls). Children with a chronic condition reported lower life satisfaction, but no clinically relevant changes in internalising symptoms or psychosomatic health, during the pandemic compared to before. In comparison to healthy peers, children with a chronic condition experienced decreased life satisfaction and psychosomatic health, but internalising symptoms did not differ between groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown stringency was negatively associated with all indicators of mental wellbeing—worse life satisfaction, more internalising symptoms, and more psychosomatic symptoms.

【 授权许可】

Unknown