Young children have been particularly badly affected by pandemic lockdowns (Pic: Getty Creative)
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Children’s mental health took a serious hit during lockdown, according to a new Oxford University study.
And younger children were particularly affected, with those aged four to 10 experiencing a much greater range of difficulties throughout the pandemic than older children.
The highest levels of mental health issues were seen when restrictions were at their most stringent, while reported difficulties have decreased in line with children returning to the real, as opposed to the virtual, classroom.
The findings emphasize the need to focus on mental health – rather than catching up on ‘lost learning – as the priority for children re-emerging from lockdown.
“Children and young people’s mental health has been negatively affected over the course of the pandemic,” said Polly Waite, associate professor of clinical psychology at the University of Oxford and co-lead of the study.
“It will be crucial to prioritise their wellbeing, and in particular, identify those who continue to experience significant difficulties and require further urgent support.”
The highest levels of mental health symptoms were recorded in June 2020 and February this year, when restrictions in the U.K. were at their height.
Reported mental health difficulties were highest when restrictions were more severe (Graphic: … [+]
Co-SPACE, University of Oxford
Patterns were similar for boys and girls but differed between age groups, according to the Co-SPACE (Covid-19, Supporting Parents, Adolescents and Children in Epidemics) study, based on a survey of more than 12,500 parents and 1,300 adolescents.
Younger children – those aged four to 10 – experienced more changes in reported behavioral, emotional and attentional difficulties, while the reported level of difficulties among children aged 11 to 16 was more stable.
Younger children experienced greater changes in mental health difficulties during lockdown (Graphic: … [+]
Co-SPACE, University of Oxford
Reported difficulties decreased as restrictions have been eased and children have returned to in-person learning.
But children with special educational needs or those from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to have continued to experience mental health difficulties.
The findings were based on parent-reported and adolescent self-reported outcomes measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a widely-used and well-validated behavioral screening tool.
“The study consistently highlights the unequal impacts of the pandemic on specific groups of children and young people, such as those with special educational needs and disabilities and children living in families on low income,” said Clare Stafford, vice-chair of the Children and Young Person’s Mental Health Coalition, an umbrella group.
“It is now more important than ever that these groups are properly supported to prevent these inequalities from being further entrenched.”
She said schools should prioritize supporting children’s mental health, rather than restoring rigorous discipline, the approach advocated by England’s Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.
“We must create safe school environments for children and young people who have been through traumatic experiences and offer help to those who are struggling most,” said Ms Stafford, who is also chief executive of the Charlie Waller Trust, a mental health charity.
“This must mean a strong move away from the current emphasis on punitive approaches to behaviour and discipline in schools.”
The Co-SPACE survey, which has been tracking children and young people’s mental health throughout the pandemic, will continue to collect data to monitor how the level of difficulties and the need for support changes as the pandemic progresses.
