The mental burden of children, adolescents, and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with emotional and behavioral problems

Background and objective The infection protection measures adopted as part of the COVID-19 pandemic led to profound restrictions and changes in the social, (pre-) school, family, and leisure areas. The objective of the current study was to examine the mental burden of children and adolescents and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this study aimed to identify possible factors that influence the mental burden. Materials and methods The examinations were carried out between autumn 2020 and spring 2021 in a clinical sample (n = 280 patients aged 4-17 years) and a community sample (n = 1958 children and adolescents aged 4-19 years recruited via schools and preschools). Ratings of parents as well as children and adolescents via questionnaires were assessed. Results Mental burden due to the corona pandemic was assessed as slightly to moderately increased across both rating perspectives and both samples. Overall, around 60 to 70% of the parents, children, and adolescents describe an increase in mental burden; in contrast, up to 12% of parents as well as children and adolescents describe relief. When comparing both samples, a slightly higher burden on children and adolescents can only be seen in the self-assessment of the clinical sample. None of the socio-demographic factors analyzed influences the mental burden statistically significant. However, low to moderate correlations between the subjectively experienced deterioration in the family and social situation and an increased level of stress is found. Discussion Targeted interventions for exposed subgroups should be offered during a pandemic. Universal interventions are not indicated.