Quality of Life and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents after the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Large Population-Based Survey in South Tyrol, Italy
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Quality of Life and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents after the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Large Population-Based Survey in South Tyrol, Italy. / Barbieri, Verena; Wiedermann, Christian Josef; Kaman, Anne; Erhart, Michael; Piccoliori, Giuliano; Plagg, Barbara; Mahlknecht, Angelika; Ausserhofer, Dietmar; Engl, Adolf; Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike.
In: INT J ENV RES PUB HE, Vol. 19, No. 9, 5220, 25.04.2022.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality of Life and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents after the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Large Population-Based Survey in South Tyrol, Italy
AU - Barbieri, Verena
AU - Wiedermann, Christian Josef
AU - Kaman, Anne
AU - Erhart, Michael
AU - Piccoliori, Giuliano
AU - Plagg, Barbara
AU - Mahlknecht, Angelika
AU - Ausserhofer, Dietmar
AU - Engl, Adolf
AU - Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike
PY - 2022/4/25
Y1 - 2022/4/25
N2 - BACKGROUND: Methodological heterogeneity of studies and geographical variation limit conclusions about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of youth. This study aimed to explore the health-related quality of life and mental health of children and adolescents in the second year of the pandemic in South Tyrol, Italy.METHODS: An online survey representative for the age and gender of the children and adolescents in South Tyrol was conducted among 5159 families with children and adolescents aged 7-19 years, between 28 May and 16 June 2021. The survey collecting parental ratings and self-rated questionnaires from children and adolescents aged 11-19 years included instruments to measure health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (SDQ), anxiety (SCARED), and depression (CES-DC). The results were compared with data from corresponding studies conducted in Germany.RESULTS: Decreased health-related quality of life and increased conduct problems, peer-related mental health problems, anxiety, and depressive and psychosomatic symptoms in children and adolescents observed in the second year of the pandemic in Germany were confirmed in the second year in South Tyrol. Children and adolescents with low socioeconomic status, a migration background, and limited living space were significantly affected. Female sex and older age were associated with increased psychosocial problems and a positive family climate supported the mental health of children and adolescents during the pandemic.CONCLUSIONS: Confirmation of findings of decreased health-related quality of life and increased emotional problems after the first year of the pandemic supports the ongoing call for low-threshold health promotion, prevention, and early intervention programs to support children and adolescents who have been severely affected by the pandemic.
AB - BACKGROUND: Methodological heterogeneity of studies and geographical variation limit conclusions about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of youth. This study aimed to explore the health-related quality of life and mental health of children and adolescents in the second year of the pandemic in South Tyrol, Italy.METHODS: An online survey representative for the age and gender of the children and adolescents in South Tyrol was conducted among 5159 families with children and adolescents aged 7-19 years, between 28 May and 16 June 2021. The survey collecting parental ratings and self-rated questionnaires from children and adolescents aged 11-19 years included instruments to measure health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (SDQ), anxiety (SCARED), and depression (CES-DC). The results were compared with data from corresponding studies conducted in Germany.RESULTS: Decreased health-related quality of life and increased conduct problems, peer-related mental health problems, anxiety, and depressive and psychosomatic symptoms in children and adolescents observed in the second year of the pandemic in Germany were confirmed in the second year in South Tyrol. Children and adolescents with low socioeconomic status, a migration background, and limited living space were significantly affected. Female sex and older age were associated with increased psychosocial problems and a positive family climate supported the mental health of children and adolescents during the pandemic.CONCLUSIONS: Confirmation of findings of decreased health-related quality of life and increased emotional problems after the first year of the pandemic supports the ongoing call for low-threshold health promotion, prevention, and early intervention programs to support children and adolescents who have been severely affected by the pandemic.
KW - Adolescent
KW - COVID-19/epidemiology
KW - Child
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Italy/epidemiology
KW - Male
KW - Mental Health/statistics & numerical data
KW - Pandemics/prevention & control
KW - Quality of Life
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph19095220
DO - 10.3390/ijerph19095220
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 35564614
VL - 19
JO - INT J ENV RES PUB HE
JF - INT J ENV RES PUB HE
SN - 1660-4601
IS - 9
M1 - 5220
ER -