Children's behavioural and emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the Born in Bradford COVID-19 mixed methods longitudinal study.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a multitude of immediate social restrictions for many across the world. In the UK, the lives of children and young people were quickly impacted when COVID-19 restrictions led to school closures for most children and restrictions on social interactions. The Born in Bradford COVID-19 longitudinal research study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of children and their families living in Bradford. Surveys were administered during the first wave of the pandemic (March to June 2020) and compared to findings from before the pandemic (February 2017 to March 2020). The current study examined the social and emotional wellbeing of children ( M age: 10.5 years) from before to during the pandemic, measured using the parent completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Regression analyses looked at associations between a range of social determinants of health and changes in SDQ scores. The results showed that the odds of experiencing difficulties were lower for children of Pakistani heritage compared to White British children (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.86). Girls were less likely to experience difficulties compared to boys (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41-0.88), as were older, compared to younger children (per year: OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68-0.96) and those living in the most deprived quintile of IMD (OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.79-5.15). There were associations between experiencing difficulties and: food insecurity; financial worry; getting below recommended levels of physical activity; and having less than the recommended amount of sleep. These findings raise concerns about the longer-term impacts of the pandemic on children's wellbeing and increasing inequity in child outcomes. The increased impact on the most disadvantaged, underscores the importance of recognising and meeting the support needs of children and families to ensure that inequalities are not widened further, and children are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.