Factors associated with mental health symptoms among UK autistic children and young people and their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

crossref(2022)

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Abstract Objective: The current study examined the mental health symptoms of autistic children and young people and their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic in two pre-existing well-characterised cohorts. We explored whether child, family or environmental factors were associated with child and parental mental health symptoms during the pandemic. Method: Participants were parents/carers of autistic children in the ASTAR (N=67, Mage 9 years) and QUEST (N=112, Mage 17 years) cohorts. Early in the UK pandemic, parents completed a brief online survey developed specifically to measure the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that asked about child and parental mental health, infection experience, and changes to education arrangements, family life, housing and finances. Results: More engagement and enjoyment in education provision and going outside was associated with better child and parental mental health. Multivariate multiple linear regression models were used to test the associations between child, family and environmental factors and pandemic-time mental health symptoms. Amongst pre-adolescent autistic children, pre-existing ADHD was a key factor associated with more behavioural/ADHD symptoms during the pandemic. Higher pre-existing parental mental health problems was also associated with more parental mental health symptoms during the pandemic. Financial concerns were also a risk factor for worse parental mental health during the pandemic. Conclusions: Knowledge of pre-existing mental health and pandemic-related stressors may help care planning. Encouraging engagement and enjoyment in education and promoting physical exercise are important intervention targets. Ensuring access to ADHD medication and support is important, especially if this is managed jointly across school and home.
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