Children in a Pandemic: The Impact of Isolation and Economic Recession on the Health of Youth

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic started in China in late 2019 and has since caused social and economic disruption across the globe. While children seem to be less severely affected by the disease, indirect factors may be affecting children’s physical and mental wellbeing. Countries have adopted social distancing policies, including school closures, in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease. Children were forced to be socially isolated from agemates during prolonged home-stay at an unprecedented scale. In addition, the pandemic is causing economic decline surpassing that of the Great Recession in 2008-2009. Other than some preliminary reports, it is unknown how the current situation will affect child health. To estimate how these drastic changes may impact children, we examine previous studies on social isolation and economic recession. Social isolation in the context of infectious disease is understudied, but the limited literature does show a correlation with increased post-traumatic stress scores and need for mental health services.  Studies from the 2008 recession show how economic decline may be related to higher rates of infant and child mortality, obesity, mental health concerns, suicide related behaviours and child maltreatment. Potential increases in child maltreatment are of concern because reporting has decreased in a variety of jurisdictions after the onset of the pandemic. Parents and those who work with children should be aware of these indirect consequences during and after the pandemic.