Authors: Bekir Taskesen;Omer Kardas;Kamil Yılmaz · Research
How Does COVID-19 Impact Mental Health in Children and Teens?
Research shows COVID-19 infection significantly impacts mental health in youth, with elevated rates of anxiety, depression and trauma responses.
Source: Taskesen, B., Kardas, O., & Yılmaz, K. (2022). Evaluation of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress response levels of children and adolescents treated with COVID-19. European Journal of Pediatrics, 182, 567-574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-022-04713-3
What you need to know
- COVID-19 infection can significantly impact mental health in children and adolescents, with 44% showing elevated trauma responses
- Girls appear more vulnerable to psychological effects than boys
- Different treatment settings (inpatient vs outpatient) may influence mental health outcomes
The Hidden Impact of COVID-19 on Young Minds
When we think about COVID-19’s effects on children and teens, we often focus on the physical symptoms. However, there’s another critical aspect that deserves our attention - its impact on mental health. While young people typically experience milder physical symptoms from COVID-19 compared to adults, the psychological toll can be significant and lasting.
Understanding the Mental Health Effects
This groundbreaking research examined 200 young people aged 8-18 who had COVID-19, looking at their mental health 4-6 weeks after infection. The findings paint a concerning picture:
- 10% experienced depression
- 17% showed panic or physical anxiety symptoms
- 34% struggled with separation anxiety
- 19.5% developed social phobia
- 44% showed elevated trauma responses
Perhaps most concerning, 4% of participants showed severe trauma reactions. These numbers highlight how COVID-19 affects not just the body, but also the mind.
Gender and Age Differences Matter
The study revealed some interesting patterns about who might be most vulnerable to mental health impacts. Girls showed significantly higher levels of anxiety and trauma responses compared to boys. This aligns with previous research showing girls may be more susceptible to anxiety and depression in general.
Adolescents (over age 10) showed different patterns than younger children. They were more likely to experience panic symptoms and school-related anxiety, while younger children tended to show more separation anxiety and social fears.
Treatment Settings and Mental Health Outcomes
An intriguing finding was that where patients received treatment affected their mental health outcomes. Those treated at home showed higher levels of trauma responses and school-related fears compared to those hospitalized. However, hospitalized patients experienced more social anxiety.
What This Means for You
If your child or teen has had COVID-19, be alert to potential mental health effects:
- Watch for changes in mood, sleep patterns, or social interactions
- Take anxiety symptoms seriously, even if they appear weeks after recovery
- Consider professional support if you notice concerning changes
- Remember that mental health impacts may differ based on age and gender
- Understand that both outpatient and inpatient experiences can affect mental health differently
Conclusions
- COVID-19’s impact extends beyond physical symptoms to affect mental wellbeing in young people
- Early identification and monitoring of mental health symptoms is crucial
- Professional mental health support may be beneficial alongside medical care
- Different treatment approaches may require different mental health support strategies