Parents' Psychological Factors Promoting Children's Mental Health and Emotional Regulation During the COVID-19 Lockdown

On March 9th, 2020 Italy went into lockdown due to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Several studies showed how the pandemic had a negative impact on children's psychologi-cal well-being. The present research studied how parents can promote their children's psy-chological well-being, in order to understand how to help parents in managing this unprec-edented situation. A total of 277 parents of children aged 6 to 13 years old completed an online survey. MANCOVA analyses showed that children with more anxiety and depres-sion, more lability/negativity and less emotional regulation had parents with more psycho-logical distress, less regulatory emotional self-efficacy, and less parenting self-efficacy (all p .01). Parents were important protective factor for their children's mental health during the lockdown.

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Creating a System of Care for Children's Mental Health in a Native American Community

Families in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services ◽

10.1606/1044-3894.3849 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 90 (1) ◽

pp. 87-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gail Werrbach ◽

Marjorie Withers ◽

Elizabeth Neptune

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Native American ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

System Of Care ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

Culturally Competent ◽

The Creation ◽

The Impact

This article describes the creation of a system of care in children's mental health by the Passamaquoddy Tribe located in Princeton, Maine. The history of this Native American community; the impact of oppression, historical trauma, and contemporary economic, health, and educational inequities on child and family health well-being; and the barriers to providing culturally competent child mental health services are reviewed. Descriptions of the key components and core concepts of the system of care are presented along with case examples highlighting the array of services. Finally, implications for practice in the creation of culturally competent systems of care within Native American communities are discussed.

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Maternal attachment representation, the risk of increased depressive symptoms and the influence on children’s mental health during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic

Journal of Child and Family Studies ◽

10.1007/s10826-021-02162-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Franziska Köhler-Dauner ◽

Anna Buchheim ◽

Katherina Hildebrand ◽

Inka Mayer ◽

Vera Clemens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Well Being ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

Maternal Attachment ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

Attachment Representations ◽

Current Crisis ◽

Attachment Representation ◽

Depressive Symptomology

AbstractThe social distancing measures and the related closure of education institutions have confronted young families, in particular, with various challenges. Additional risk factors such as an insecure or even unresolved maternal attachment representation may affect mental health of mothers and their children in times of increased stress such as during the ongoing pandemic. We aimed to analyze the interplay between maternal attachment representation and mother’s and children’s mental health before and during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic. 91 mothers completed a “SARS-CoV-2 pandemic survey” examining the pandemic-related stress of their families including their own depressive symptomology and their children’s mental health. Our mediation analysis demonstrates that the mothers’ depressive symptomology significantly and fully mediated the relationship between maternal attachment representations and children’s mental health during the pandemic. In contrast, the indirect effect of the maternal attachment representation on children’s mental health before the pandemic through the depressive symptoms experienced by the mothers before the pandemic did not reach significance alongside the total and direct effect. The quality of the maternal attachment representation, promoted by childhood maltreatment, seems to be one relevant risk factor for the mothers’ and children’s mental health during a stressful time like a pandemic. The risk for mothers to develop depressive symptoms in times of a pandemic is significantly influenced by their current representation of previous attachment experiences. In addition, the mental well-being of mothers showed a considerable influence on the children’s mental health during a pandemic. The results underline the necessity to consider unique needs of family members and to offer specific support in the current crisis focusing on attachment issues.

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Benefit-finding buffers the effects of quarantine on older adults’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2674 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 722-722

Author(s):

Fan Zhang ◽

Sheung-Tak Cheng

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Benefit Finding ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

Moderating Role

Abstract Objective Older adults’ health and well-being may suffer due to prolonged social isolation leading to loneliness and increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to address the role of benefit-finding, defined as the capacity to derive meaning and positive aspects from stressful situations, in older adults’ adaptation to the effects of quarantine. Methods 421 participants aged 50 or above in China participated in an online survey to study the effects of quarantine on loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression and life satisfaction, and the moderating role of benefit-finding. Results The results showed that quarantine was basically unrelated to any outcome. Further analysis showed, however, that the effect of quarantine varied by levels of benefit-finding. Only people with lower benefit-finding reported a higher level of loneliness, perceived stress, anxiety and depression, but no relationships were found at higher benefit-finding. Conclusions The findings extended our understanding of the role of benefit-finding in buffering the negative impact of adversity on older people. By mitigating the effects of prolonged social isolation, benefit-finding served as a protective factor in older people’s adaptation to the sequelae of this pandemic.

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The Acute Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children’s Mental Health in Southwestern Ontario

10.31234/osf.io/5cwb4 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alexandra Mactavish ◽

Carli Mastronardi ◽

Rosanne Menna ◽

Kimberley A. Babb ◽

Marco Battaglia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

Children And Parents ◽

The Impact

Objective: COVID-19 is an unprecedented global crisis. Research is critically needed to identify the acute and long-term impacts of the pandemic to children’s mental health including psychosocial factors that predict resilience, recovery, and persistent long-term distress. The present study collected data in June-July 2020 to enumerate the acute impact of the pandemic on children’s mental health, including the magnitude and nature of psychiatric and psychological distress in children, and to evaluate social support as a putative psychosocial correlate of children’s distress.Method: 190 families of children aged 8 to 13 from the Windsor-Essex region of Southwestern Ontario reported on the impact of the pandemic on children’s well-being (e.g., worry, happiness); irritability; social support; and symptoms of anxiety, depressive, and posttraumatic stress disorder at baseline assessment of an ongoing longitudinal study of the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Children and parents reported worsened well-being and psychological distress during the pandemic compared to retrospective report of pre-pandemic well-being. Children and parents also reported higher depressive and anxiety symptoms, but fewer PTSD symptoms, compared to epidemiological samples that used the same measures prior to the pandemic. Finally, child-perceived social support from family and friends was associated with lower symptom severity.Conclusions: Study findings indicate broad psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and are consistent with prior research that indicates a protective role of social support to mitigate the negative psychological impact of the pandemic.

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Young Children’s Mental Health: Impact of Social Isolation During The COVID-19 Lockdown and Effective Strategies

10.31234/osf.io/g549x ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Angel Urbina

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Children ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Health Impact ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Children’S Wellbeing

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 has triggered a worldwide epidemic emergency which is an international concern given that it poses several challenges to physical and mental health of humans across the globe. Like businesses and universities, schools around the world have been closed and children must remain at home during this pandemic. However, social isolation could have a negative impact on young children’s wellbeing and if not addressed properly, it could trigger long-term negative effects in their mental health. However, little is known about the psychological impact of social isolation during COVID-19 on young children’s mental health and to date, there are no specific guidelines regarding effective psychological strategies that could support children’s wellbeing. Drawing form existing research on social isolation, this review aims to synthesise previous literature to explore the negative impact of social isolation in young children and offer a comprehensive set of evidence-informed recommendations for parents and professionals to safeguard the mental health of young children currently on lockdown across the globe.

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Impact of Online Games on Children's Mental Health

Journal La Medihealtico ◽

10.37899/journallamedihealtico.v2i1.281 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 13-19

Author(s):

Kevin Guerada

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Online Games ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

World Health ◽

Game Addiction ◽

As Stress ◽

The Impact

This article examines the impact of online games on children's mental health. A person can be diagnosed with a game addiction by a psychologist or a psychiatrist if he has a game playing pattern that is severe enough to have a negative impact on himself, his family, social, education, work, and other important things. Psychologists or psychiatrists usually can only provide a diagnosis after a person's game addiction pattern lasts for at least 12 months, although this time requirement can be shortened if the adverse effects of playing games on his daily life are very obvious. The impact of online gaming addiction on children is manifested through a lack of focus on other daily activities, lack of attention in class, and constant thinking about games. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated online game addiction as a type of mental disorder. Game addiction can also occur with other mental disorders, such as stress, depression and anxiety disorders. Various efforts can be made to prevent mental disorders, namely doing physical activity and staying physically active, helping others sincerely to maintain positive thoughts.

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Physical Activity Protects Against the Negative Impact of Coronavirus Fear on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.580511 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Laura J. Wright ◽

Sarah E. Williams ◽

Jet J. C. S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Health And Well Being

Background: The severity of the Coronavirus pandemic has led to lockdowns in different countries to reduce the spread of the infection. These lockdown restrictions are likely to be detrimental to mental health and well-being in adolescents. Physical activity can be beneficial for mental health and well-being; however, research has yet to examine associations between adolescent physical activity and mental health and well-being during lockdown.Purpose: Examine the effects of adolescent perceived Coronavirus prevalence and fear on mental health and well-being and investigate the extent to which physical activity can be a protective factor against these concerns.Methods: During United Kingdom lockdown restrictions, 165 participants (100 female, aged 13–19) completed an online questionnaire assessing perceived Coronavirus prevalence and fear, physical activity, and indicators of mental health and well-being (stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, vitality, and perceived health). Separate hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses (with age, gender, perceived Coronavirus prevalence, and fear entered in step 1, and physical activity in step 2) were run to predict each well-being outcome.Results: Regression analyses indicated that in general, while Coronavirus fear was a negative predictor, physical activity was a positive and stronger predictor of enhanced mental health and well-being outcomes.Conclusion: Findings suggest that physical activity during the Coronavirus pandemic can counteract the negative effects of Coronavirus fear on adolescent mental health and well-being. Therefore, physical activity should be promoted during lockdown to support good mental health and well-being.

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Exploring the Protective Function of Positivity and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy in Time of Pandemic COVID-19

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182413171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (24) ◽

pp. 13171

Author(s):

Eriona Thartori ◽

Concetta Pastorelli ◽

Flavia Cirimele ◽

Chiara Remondi ◽

Maria Gerbino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Efficacy Beliefs ◽

Protective Function ◽

Containment Measures

Despite several empirical studies on the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that have highlighted its detrimental effect on individuals’ mental health, the identification of psychological factors that may moderate its impact on individuals’ behavior and well-being remains partly unexplored. The present study was conceived to examine the mediation role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy in the relationship between positivity and anxiety, depression, and perceived self-efficacy in complying with the containment measures to contrast the COVID-19 spread. Furthermore, the moderation role of age was tested. A sample of 1258 participants (64.2% women; Mage = 42.09, SD = 13.62) enrolled from the Italian general population answered an online survey aimed at investigating the role of individual differences in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. We opted for a snowball recruiting procedure to find participants. The online survey was disseminated through email invitation and using social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Instagram). A multi-group path analysis model was performed using Mplus 8.4 to explore the hypothesized relations among variables. The following criteria were employed to evaluate the goodness of fit: χ2 likelihood ratio statistic, CFI and TLI > 0.95, RMSEA < 0.06 and SRMR < 0.08. The findings corroborated the protective role of both positivity and regulatory emotional self-efficacy in reducing individuals’ anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as in fostering individuals’ capabilities in complying with the containment measures imposed by the government to reduce the risk of illness and to contain the spread of the virus COVID-19. Specifically, regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs partially mediated the relations between positivity and anxiety and depressive symptoms and fully mediated the effect of positivity on perceived self-efficacy beliefs in complying with the containment measures. These paths were equal across ages. The results of the present study appear relevant to implementing psychological interventions aimed to reduce the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health through the promotion of individuals’ optimistic orientation and emotion regulation.

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