Purpose

The German population-based longitudinal COVID-19 and Psychological Health study monitors changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies vulnerable groups.

Methods

A nationwide, population-based survey was conducted in May 2020 to June 2020 (Wave 1), December 2020 to January 2021 (Wave 2), and September 2021 to October 2021 (Wave 3). In total, n = 2,097 children and adolescents aged 7–17 years were investigated using measures to assess HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (SDQ), anxiety (SCARED), depressive symptoms(PHQ-2), and psychosomatic complaints(HBSC-SCL).

Results

The prevalence of low HRQoL increased from 15% prepandemic to 40% and 48% in Waves 1 and 2 and improved slightly to 35% in Wave 3 (all differences significant). Similarly, overall mental health problems increased from 18% prepandemic to 29% in Wave 1 and 31% in Wave 2 to 28% in Wave 3 (all differences significant, except Wave 3 vs. 2), anxiety increased from 15% prepandemic to 24% and 30% in Waves 1 and 2 and was still 27% in Wave 3. Depressive symptoms increased from 10% prepandemic to 11% and 15% in Waves 1 and 2 and were 11% in Wave 3. A group with low parental education, restricted living conditions, migration background, and parental mental health problems was at significantly increased risk of HRQoL and mental health impairments.

Discussion

The prevalence of low HRQoL, mental health problems, and anxiety has been elevated throughout the pandemic. Thus, mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention strategies need to be implemented to support adolescents–particularly those at risk.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 大流行期间的儿童和青少年心理健康：三波纵向 COPSY 研究的结果

目的

德国基于人群的纵向CO VID-19 和 心理健康研究监测COVID -19 大流行期间儿童和青少年的健康相关生活质量 (HRQoL) 和心理健康的变化，并确定弱势群体。

方法

2020 年 5 月至 2020 年 6 月（第 1 波）、2020 年 12 月至 2021 年 1 月（第 2 波）和 2021 年 9 月至 2021 年 10 月（第 3 波）进行了一项全国性的基于人口的调查。总共对 n = 2,097 名 7-17 岁的儿童和青少年进行了调查，使用了评估 HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10)、心理健康问题 (SDQ)、焦虑 (SCARED)、抑郁症状 (PHQ-2) 和心身主诉的措施(HBSC-SCL)。

结果

低 HRQoL 的患病率从大流行前的 15% 增加到第 1 波和第 2 波中的 40% 和 48%，并在第 3 波中略有改善至 35%（所有差异均显着）。同样，总体心理健康问题从大流行前的 18% 增加到第 1 波的 29% 和第 2 波的 31% 到第 3 波的 28%（所有差异都显着，除了第 3 波和第 2 波），焦虑从大流行前的 15% 增加到 24在第 1 波和第 2 波中分别为 % 和 30%，在第 3 波中仍为 27%。抑郁症状从大流行前的 10% 增加到第 1 和第 2 波中的 11% 和 15%，在第 3 波中分别为 11%。父母教育程度低的组、受限的生活条件、移民背景和父母的心理健康问题显着增加了 HRQoL 和心理健康障碍的风险。

讨论

在整个大流行期间，低 HRQoL、心理健康问题和焦虑的流行率有所上升。因此，需要实施心理健康促进、预防和干预策略来支持青少年——尤其是处于风险中的青少年。