Belastungserleben und psychische Auffälligkeiten von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Hamburg während der COVID-19-Pandemie
Related Research units
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the life of children and adolescents since the start of 2020. The COPSY study Hamburg is one of the first population-based studies to examine the mental health and quality of life of children and adolescents in Hamburg during the pandemic. The COPSY study Hamburg is part of the nationwide COPSY study.
Methods From June 12 to July 31 n = 1,037 children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 years and their parents were surveyed online on the impact of the pandemic on quality of life and mental health. Established instruments were used to assess life satisfaction (Cantril Ladder), quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), psychosomatic complaints (HBSC Symptom Checklist) as well as other relevant instruments to assess COVID-19-related stress. Data were compared with representative reference samples from the pre-pandemic BELLA and HBSC studies. Relative frequencies including confidence intervals were reported. Based on bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, children with particularly high levels of stress were identified. The risk group was presented, and potential resources were analysed.
Results Two thirds of Hamburg’s children and adolescents felt burdened by the pandemic. Their life satisfaction and quality of life have decreased compared to before the pandemic. The children and adolescents reported more frequent psychosomatic complaints such as irritability, problems falling asleep and headaches. Socially disadvantaged children were particularly burdened. Good family cohesion had a protective effect and was able to mitigate the burden caused by the pandemic.
Conclusions To protect and maintain the mental health of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as in future crisis situations, target group-specific and low-threshold prevention and health promotion strategies need to be discussed.
Methods From June 12 to July 31 n = 1,037 children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 years and their parents were surveyed online on the impact of the pandemic on quality of life and mental health. Established instruments were used to assess life satisfaction (Cantril Ladder), quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), psychosomatic complaints (HBSC Symptom Checklist) as well as other relevant instruments to assess COVID-19-related stress. Data were compared with representative reference samples from the pre-pandemic BELLA and HBSC studies. Relative frequencies including confidence intervals were reported. Based on bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, children with particularly high levels of stress were identified. The risk group was presented, and potential resources were analysed.
Results Two thirds of Hamburg’s children and adolescents felt burdened by the pandemic. Their life satisfaction and quality of life have decreased compared to before the pandemic. The children and adolescents reported more frequent psychosomatic complaints such as irritability, problems falling asleep and headaches. Socially disadvantaged children were particularly burdened. Good family cohesion had a protective effect and was able to mitigate the burden caused by the pandemic.
Conclusions To protect and maintain the mental health of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as in future crisis situations, target group-specific and low-threshold prevention and health promotion strategies need to be discussed.
Bibliographical data
| Translated title of the contribution | Burden and mental health problems of children and adolescents in Hamburg during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the COPSY study Hamburg |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| ISSN | 0722-1541 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |
