COVID-19 for Half a Lifetime: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Preschool Children and Their Caregivers

Theoretical Background: Over the last 2 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to substantial restrictions in the everyday life of preschoolers. Objective: Our study investigates how preschoolers and their parents perceived the pandemic during the last 2 years. Based on preliminary findings demonstrating a pandemic-related increase in mental health problems, we further investigated enduring pandemic effects on the mental health of children. We hypothesized that family resilience is reduced after 1 year of the pandemic. Moreover, we expected a decline in overall mental health compared to prepandemic studies. Finally, we hypothesized that increased family tension and the stress regulation of children predict mental health problems. Method: In two online surveys conducted in May 2020 and March 2021, we collected the data of N = 304 parents and their children (aged 1-6 years). We assessed parents' and children's (self- and parent-reported) perception of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic's impact on family resilience, and (May 2021) children's mental health problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman et al., 1998). Because of the small sample size of both studies, we decided to cross-sectionally compare the surveys. Results: In tine with our hypothesis, children and parents reported higher levels of family tension and reduced stress-regulation abilities in 2021 compared to 2020. Moreover, parents reported increased levels of negative affect toward COVID-19. We found no significant changes in perceived infection risk but did find increased levels of mental health problems, especially externalizing problems in 2021 compared to prepandemic studies. Finally, the stress regulation of the children and family tension were significant predictors of the mental health problems of children. Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings highlight the persistent negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of preschoolers white also providing evidence for the psychological factors of resilience.