Status: 09.02.2022 1:05 p.m
According to a study, children and young people are doing a little better mentally than in the second corona wave. Nevertheless, the pandemic and the associated measures continue to have an impact on mental health.
According to an analysis by Hamburg scientists, the psychological stress on children and young people in the corona pandemic is still high. Around a third feel that their quality of life is less than before the pandemic began. Before the Corona crisis, it was about two out of ten children, i.e. one fifth. This is the result of the third survey from autumn 2021 as part of the so-called COPSY study by the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE).
“After two deteriorations, we are now experiencing a small, but important and significant improvement in the mental well-being of the children for the first time,” Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer, head of the COPSY study, on the consequences of corona in children and adolescents
tagesschau24 2:00 p.m., 9.2.2022
However, the psychological well-being and quality of life of the boys and girls have improved compared to previous surveys during the pandemic because contact restrictions are no longer as strict, schools have reopened and sports are offered.
“Family is one of the most important resources”
According to the information, the researchers also found slightly fewer mental abnormalities in the children than in the first two surveys – at 29 percent, however, they were still about ten percentage points more affected than before the pandemic.
“Most children and adolescents will probably survive the crisis well,” said Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer, head of the COPSY study and research director of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. This is especially true for children from stable backgrounds. “Family is and remains one of the most important resources to get through the pandemic well.”
More than 1100 children and young people took part
In the COPSY study, the UKE researchers are investigating the effects and consequences of the corona pandemic on the mental health and well-being of children and young people in Germany. From mid-September to mid-October 2021, more than 1100 girls and boys and more than 1600 parents took part using an online questionnaire. According to the head of the study, a different standard was chosen for the valuation this time, in accordance with international conventions, compared to reports from previous surveys.