Educational Concerns, Health Concerns and Mental Health During Early COVID-19 School Closures: The Role of Perceived Support by Teachers, Family, and Friends

Buffering or not working: group counseling for depression and loneliness among boarding primary school students

Introduction

Due to the acceleration of modern life rhythm, students with developing minds are susceptible to negative external influences, leading to a growing concern for their mental health. Boarding primary school students have limited interaction with relatives compared to their non-boarding counterparts, rendering them more prone to feelings of depression and loneliness, resulting in various negative emotions. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the effects of group counseling interventions on reducing depression and loneliness among adolescents.

Methods

The study analyzed loneliness and depression before and after the intervention in eight randomly selected classes of fifth-grade students at a boarding school in a region of Shandong Province, which were divided into an experimental group and a control group.

Results

Within the experimental group, there were no substantial variations in loneliness and depression levels. In the control group, post-test depression results significantly surpassed pre-test scores (p = 0.046), though loneliness levels did not differ significantly. Conversely, the experimental group displayed significantly reduced post-test depression levels compared to the control group (p = 0.037), with no significant variance in loneliness.

Conclusion

The findings indicated that group psychological counseling mitigates depression in the experimental group to a certain extent, affirming the efficacy of the intervention. The study demonstrated that group counseling alleviates depression in boarding students, emphasizing the value of the intervention.

Psychological Impact of Distance Learning on Children and Adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A Multi-City Analysis of Behavioral and Mental Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global transition to distance learning, which significantly impacted children's mental health. In Saudi Arabia, remote education began on 8 March 2020, lasting between 1.5 to 2.5 years. This study aims to explore the psychological effects of distance learning on children and adolescents, with a focus on mental health challenges and coping mechanisms.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed to parents of children aged 6 to 18 in the major metropolitan areas of Jeddah and Riyadh. The survey included demographic questions and the Arabic version of the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale, a tool for assessing behavioral challenges, anxiety, and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

RESULTS

A total of 71.6% of families reported a positive experience with distance learning. A significant correlation was found between parents' marital status and children's ability to cope with remote education. Interestingly, children without ADHD symptoms experienced three times more negative outcomes than those with ADHD symptoms. However, despite reporting fewer negative experiences, children with ADHD exhibited increased symptom severity and academic difficulties. Of the students, 5.4% were diagnosed with predominantly inattentive ADHD, 1.8% with predominantly hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, and 3.9% with combined ADHD. Additionally, 7.2% of students screened positive for oppositional defiant disorder, 1.5% for conduct disorder, and 6.6% for anxiety or depression. Children from separated or divorced families were more likely to exhibit ADHD symptoms (p = 0.002). Children with ADHD symptoms reported a more positive experience with distance learning (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study represents the first comprehensive, multi-city investigation in Saudi Arabia examining the relationship between distance learning, sociodemographic factors, and mental health symptoms in children. The findings highlight the psychological challenges faced by children during the pandemic and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to support both mental health and academic outcomes. These results offer valuable insights for future research and inform strategies to address children's well-being in scenarios involving distance learning.

The Impact of School Reopening on Chinese Adolescents' Mental Health During COVID-19: Considering the Role of Academic Stress and Academic Orientation

PURPOSE

Existing studies found that school closure during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced adolescents' mental health. Yet, it remains unclear how adolescent mental health changed during the transition of school reopening as well as the academic-related risk and protective factors.

METHODS

Immediately before (April 2020) and three months (July 2020) after school reopening, 879 adolescents in Shanghai, China (mean age = 13.14 years, standard deviation = 1.31, 51% girls) completed online surveys and reported on their mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and anger problems). Adolescents also reported perceived academic stress and academic orientations (i.e., performance orientation and mastery orientation) before school reopening.

RESULTS

Adolescents reported decreased depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and anger problems three months after school reopening. Adolescents who reported higher perceived academic stress and performance orientation showed elevated mental health symptoms after school reopening, whereas those reported higher mastery orientation showed decreased anger problems. Higher mastery orientation buffered the negative influence of academic stress on mental health.

DISCUSSION

The findings not only demonstrate the positive influence of school reopening on Chinese adolescents' mental health but also highlight the role of perceived academic stress and academic orientations in contributing to individual differences during this transition.

Multi-level factors associated with psychological resilience in the face of adverse childhood experiences among Chinese early adolescents

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are pervasive and exert enduring negative effects on health throughout one's life. A better understanding of resilience among adolescents with ACEs exposure is crucial to enhance their mental health; however, comprehensive and multifaceted analyses of its associated factors are limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate multi-level correlates of psychological resilience in Chinese early adolescents exposed to ACEs.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

In a sample of 5724 middle school students, 65.5 % (n = 3749; 49.1 % females; Mage = 13.57, SD = 0.96) reported ACEs during their primary school period and were finally included in this study.

METHOD

Both linear regression and network models were conducted to explore correlates of capacity- and outcome-oriented resilience at the individual (i.e., five personality traits, emotional release, and loneliness), family (i.e., family support and relationships with the mother and father), and school levels (i.e., peer support, teacher support, and relationships with classmates and teachers).

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis revealed that all correlates were associated with capacity- (β ranged from -0.271 to 0.503, PFDR < 0.001 for all) and outcome-oriented resilience (β ranged from -0.516 to 0.229, PFDR < 0.001 for all). Similarly, network analysis revealed that neuroticism, conscientiousness, loneliness, emotional release, extraversion, and the relationship with the mother were directly associated with both capacity- (weights ranged from 0.029 to 0.179) and outcome-oriented resilience (weights ranged from 0.024 to 0.396). However, openness, peer and family support, and relationships with classmates and teachers were directly associated with capacity-oriented resilience (weights ranged from 0.020 to 0.201).

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified the shared and unique associated factors for capacity- and outcome-oriented resilience in the face of ACEs and demonstrated the complex interactions between these factors, which can guide tailored interventions to enhance resilience among Chinese early adolescents with ACEs exposure. Further longitudinal studies may endeavor to confirm our results.

Anxiety disorders among children and adolescents during COVID-19 lockdowns and school closures: a cross-sectional study in Kuwait

Introduction

Investigating the epidemiology of mental health disorders resulting from COVID-19 intervention measures, primary school closures, and social isolation in children and adolescents needs to be prioritized over adults at the post-pandemic stage. Most preliminary psychosocial studies conducted during the pandemic have demonstrated that younger age groups are the most vulnerable to such implications. Thus, this study aims to estimate the probable prevalence of specific anxiety disorders in children and quantify their relationships with relevant demographic risk factors.

Methods

We used a cross-sectional study comprising 430 children aged between 8- and 18 years old living in Kuwait during the period of school closures as well as full and partial lockdowns. The survey included questions about participants' characteristics, children's anxiety using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders Questionnaire (SCARED) scale, and children's emotions and behaviours using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to summarize the demographic and characteristics of the participants and their association with general, social, and generalized anxieties, as well as behavioural and emotional difficulties.

Results

We inferred that 24.83% of our participants had at least one anxiety disorder, while 20.19% were classified as abnormal on the SDQ scale. Our multivariate analysis revealed that lockdown duration and sex of the child were consistently significant predictors (p-values < 0.05) of the broad spectrum of selected mental disorders. Additionally, we inferred notable increases in the likelihood of mental disorders associated with the increased duration of lockdowns.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed preliminary insights into the vulnerability of young populations to the indirect negative impacts of strict public health measures during pandemic emergencies. Thus, authorities should consider such implications when planning and implementing similar interventions in future pandemics.

Young People and the Future: School Students' Concerns and Hopes for the Future after One Year of COVID-19 in Austria-Findings of a Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in enormous changes in everyday life and numerous burdens for adolescents. This pilot study focused on how young people look to the future in the face of these burdens. Responses to two open-ended questions on concerns and hopes for the future that were part of a larger online survey on the mental health of school students in Austria were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Subsequently, differences in the experiences of boys and girls, young people with and without a migration background and psychologically stressed and non-stressed young people were examined by applying a mixed-methods approach. Data collection took place from 3 February to 28 February 2021. From a total survey sample of 3052 adolescents aged 14-20, a representative sample according to gender and migration background (N = 500) was drawn. Qualitative content analysis revealed several areas of concern about the future, including school-related concerns, concerns about the further development of the pandemic and the associated restrictions, concerns related to a lack of locus of control, health-related concerns and concerns about social relationships. The analysis also indicated young people's greatest hopes for the future, such as hopes related to further pandemic development, hopes regarding major life goals, school, social relationships and health. Young people's experiences differ according to gender, migration background and the extent of psychological distress. This study contributes to research on the psychological well-being of adolescents during the pandemic and provides important insights into the subjective experience of young people. It aims to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the concerns and hopes for the future of young people in a time marked by various challenges. The results of the study should be used to develop ideas for measures, such as the expansion of school psychological services and low-threshold support services for students, such as school social work and counseling.

A prospective analysis of the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being and health care among children with a chronic condition and their families: a study protocol of the KICK-COVID study

BACKGROUND

There is consistent evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with an increased psychosocial burden on children and adolescents and their parents. Relatively little is known about its particular impact on high-risk groups with chronic physical health conditions (CCs). Therefore, the primary aim of the study is to analyze the multiple impacts on health care and psychosocial well-being on these children and adolescents and their parents.

METHODS

We will implement a two-stage approach. In the first step, parents and their underage children from three German patient registries for diabetes, obesity, and rheumatic diseases, are invited to fill out short questionnaires including questions about corona-specific stressors, the health care situation, and psychosocial well-being. In the next step, a more comprehensive, in-depth online survey is carried out in a smaller subsample.

DISCUSSION

The study will provide insights into the multiple longer-term stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic in families with a child with a CC. The simultaneous consideration of medical and psycho-social endpoints will help to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interactions affecting family functioning, psychological well-being, and health care delivery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), no. DRKS00027974. Registered on 27th of January 2022.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Assessment of Sexual Life-Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys among Polish Adults in 2017, 2020 and 2021

The study aims to investigate whether assessment of sexual life remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two surveys were conducted among Polish adults aged 18–70 years in June 2020 (n = 2042; perspective of last 2–3 months) and in June 2021 (n = 2418; last 12 months). Data from 2017 (n = 1980) were used as a reference point. Four questions allowed for defining five sexual life assessment profiles (k-means cluster analysis). Their characteristics were presented using 12 variables and 16 factors that contributed to difficulties in sexual life. The 2020 survey showed a temporary increase in the importance of sexual life and the frequency of sexual intercourse. However, the percentage of respondents representing the most favorable profile decreased significantly over the consecutive survey periods (47.1%, 34.2%, and 32.3%, respectively). Pandemic-induced fatigue and stress as well as the permanent presence of others at home were reported as two main factors negatively affecting the frequency of sexual intercourse during the pandemic. Respondents who assessed their sexual life as poor were more likely to consider illness, depression, and low self-esteem as factors negatively impacting their sexual life in 2021 than a year earlier. The results confirmed that as the pandemic drew on, the assessment of sexual life changed compared to the time around the first lockdown.