ABSTRACT
Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the restrictions profoundly impacted the mental and social health of children and adolescents. In this study we aim to assess the long-term impact on mental and social health of children in the Dutch general population on multiple measurement occasions during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare it to pre-COVID-19 reference data. Method(s): A representative general population sample of Dutch children aged 8-18 years was approached bi-annually (spring/autumn) starting in April 2020 until March 2022 (5 measurements total). They were asked to complete six self-reported PROMIS questionnaires on mental and social health (Global Health, Peer Relationships, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Anger, Sleep-Related Impairment). For these questionnaires pre-COVID reference data were available (N = 2401). PROMIS T-scores between the various measurement occasions will be compared using linear mixed models. Result(s): In total, 2401 (2018), 844 (April 2020), 746 (November 2020), 1128 (March 2021) and 1032 (November 2021) children and adolescents completed the questionnaires. Data of March 2022 is still in the collection phase. Preliminary results show decreased mental and social health at all COVID-19 pandemic measurement occasions compared to pre-COVID-19 data and no return to baseline (2018) outcomes. Results including the March 2022 measurement, which did not include any COVID-related restrictions, will be presented at the conference. Conclusion(s): Thus far this study has shown a reduced mental and social health of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the restrictions currently being lifted throughout the Netherlands and other parts of the world, investigating the long-term outcomes will provide us with valuable information to bring mental health(care) to the forefront of political decision making now and for future pandemics.