ABSTRACT
In the project "Resilient Children", a resilience promotion program for kindergartens and elementary schools was directly applied and evaluated during the COVID-19-crisis.The aim of the study was to strengthen the three sources of resilience according to Grotberg (1995) I HAVE, I AM and I CAN through targeted exercises and resilience-promoting communication (transfer to everyday life). Additionally, gender differences with regard to the effect of the programme were addressed. "Resilient Children" was evaluated at the impact level (pre-post design) and process level. Eight kindergartens and three elementary schools with 125 children participated. A total of 122 teachers and 70 parents provided information about the children. The results at the impact level showed that from the parent and teacher perspective, and from the self-perspective (children), the three sources of resilience were significantly strengthened. With regard to gender differences, the results from the perspective of teachers and parents showed that girls were characterised by greater changes than boys. Compared to the girls, the physical andmental well-being of the boys improved fromthe parents' point of view. The results of the process evaluation revealed a high level of motivation and enthusiasm for participation in the programme on the part of participating children and teachers. The success of "Resilient Children" depends on the identification of the teachers with the program.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Male , Female , Humans , Child , Program Evaluation , Schools , Educational Status , MotivationABSTRACT
The COVID-19-pandemic showed largely negative, but heterogeneous effects on the psychological well-being of children and adolescents.The present study aimed to (1) identify differential trajectories of emotional problems as young people entered the pandemic, (2) compare pre-pandemic trends to changes one year after its onset, and (3) analyze sociodemographic and social predictors of trajectories. 555 children and adolescents, aged 7 - 14 years at T1 (M = 10.53 years, 46.5 % female), were interviewed in three waves of the German family panel pairfam. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) revealed four distinct trajectories of emotional problems: an increase after the onset of COVID-19 ("Mean increasing"), a decrease ("Mean decreasing"), no change at low level ("Low stable") or at high level ("Chronic high"), each after a stable trajectory before the pandemic.Multinomial logistic regressions showed that females and youth experiencing an increase in financial deprivation were at higher risk of increasing or chronically high level of emotional problems, while sociability proved protective. Migration background and rejection by peers showed mixed effects. The results emphasize the importance of a differential perspective on how the COVID-19-pandemic affected children's and adolescents' well-being. Besides negative consequences for vulnerable groups, also beneficial aspects of the pandemic should be considered.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Adolescent , Child , Female , Male , Pandemics , Emotions , Peer Group , Psychological Well-BeingABSTRACT
COVID-19 and Psychiatric Disorders in Minors: Changes in Inpatient Treatment According to Hospital Statistics Abstract: Increased rates of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric emergencies in children and adolescents stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported, with more children and adolescents suffering from internalizing disorders. This study analyzes whether the increased rates led to increased rates of inpatient treatment in child and adolescent psychiatric and pediatric hospitals in Germany as well as a change in diagnoses of the treated patients. We analyzed routine hospital data ("InEK" data, § 21 KHG data files) from a prepandemic (2019) and a pandemic (2021) half-year regarding changes in the number of cases, diagnoses, and length of stay (LoS) in child and adolescent psychiatry and pediatrics. We also investigated the development of psychiatric emergencies in minors. We found an increase in internalizing problems (depression, anorexia nervosa, trauma-related disorders) and a decrease in externalizing problems among the admitted psychiatric inpatients. Further, we observed a halving of cases treated for alcohol intoxication. However, we discovered no change for the frequency of psychiatric emergency treatments nationwide. A more detailed analysis revealed that, in areas with a low number of child and adolescent psychiatry inpatient beds, emergency care was prioritized and LoS decreased, whereas in areas with a fair bed-to-inhabitant ratio among minors, there was a trend toward increased LoS, also in pediatric departments. We recommend continued monitoring of inpatient care after the pandemic, with special attention paid to underprivileged children and adolescents such as those with externalizing problems.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa , COVID-19 , Mental Disorders , Adolescent , Humans , Child , Minors , Inpatients/psychology , Emergencies , Pandemics , COVID-19/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/therapy , Anorexia Nervosa/therapy , HospitalsABSTRACT
Based on the psychological stress caused by theCovid 19 pandemic in families, this article explores the fundamental question of how the psychological process of mentalizing - metaphorically speaking - can act as a psychosocial vaccination in stressful times. To this end, we look at the developments in the psychosocial context under the conditions of the pandemic and consider the effects on child and adolescent psychotherapy on the basis of a vignette of a group therapy session.
Subject(s)
Mentalization , Psychotherapy, Group , Humans , Child , Adolescent , PsychotherapyABSTRACT
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Emergencies During the Second Wave of the SARS-CoV2-19 Pandemic: Findings from the Tübingen University Hospital Abstract. Objective: Child and adolescent psychiatric emergencies during the SARS-CoV2-19 pandemic are part of a controversial discussion. This study investigates the volume of such emergencies, the age of the patients, and the diagnoses of eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) that occurred at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Center (CAP) Tübingen during the second wave of the pandemic compared to the year before. Methods: We evaluated data on all emergencies at CAP Tübingen (telephone calls, outpatients, patient admissions) from 10/2019-01/2020 (first time period) and 10/2020-01/2021 (second wave). Results: The volume of emergencies during the second wave (319 presentations) was 29.7 % higher than during the first time period, and the number of patients (172 presentations) increased by 10.3 %. Compared to the first time period, the number of inpatients was 27.9 % higher, and the emergency admissions increased by 27.8 %. Patients in the second wave were somewhat older, with an average age of 14.8 years (first period: 14.2 years). Eating disorders were more frequent during the second wave, whereas OCD were more frequent in the first time period. Conclusions: Almost 30 % more emergencies were recorded in the second wave of the pandemic, with especially eating disorders increasing. Systematic emergency records should be documented at all German CAPs to enable demand-oriented planning.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Adolescent , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Emergencies , Hospitals, University , Humans , RNA, Viral , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Children with medical complexity (CMC) and their caregivers are at increased risk for multiple psychosocial stressors that can impact child and family well-being and health outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to supports diminished, psychosocial screening and integrated behavioral health (IBH) services in the primary care setting were crucial in identifying and addressing the unique needs of this population METHODS: Universal screening to identify psychosocial needs was implemented in a primary care clinic for CMC that includes IBH services. Data on the prevalence of psychosocial screening and IBH services for young children and their caregivers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated RESULTS: Psychosocial screening levels remained stable during the pandemic. Psychosocial needs were identified for 36% of screeners prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and 33% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for IBH services increased during the COVID-19 time period resulting in a significant increase in IBH services CONCLUSIONS: For CMC and their caregivers, psychosocial needs identified through psychosocial screening remained high during the pandemic, demonstrating the importance of screening for this population. The need for IBH services during the COVID-19 pandemic increased, underscoring the value and demand for these services particularly during an unprecedented time.
Objetivo: Los niños con complejidades médicas (CMC) y quienes les cuidan están bajo un riesgo en aumento sobre múltiples factores sicosociales de estrés que pueden causar impacto en el bienestar y resultados de salud del niño y la familia. Durante la pandemia COVID-19, cuando disminuyó el acceso al apoyo, los servicios de detección sicosocial y la integrada salud del comportamiento (IBH) en escenarios de cuidado primario fueron cruciales para identificar y manejar las necesidades típicas de esta población. Métodos: La detección universal para identificar necesidades sicosociales se implementó en una clínica de cuidado primario para CMC que incluye servicios IBH. Se evaluó la información acerca de la prevalencia de los servicios de la detección sicosocial e IBH para niños pequeños y quienes les cuidaban antes y durante la pandemia COVID-19. Resultados: Los niveles de detección sicosocial se mantuvieron estables durante la pandemia. Se identificaron las necesidades sicosociales para el 36% de los examinados antes de la pandemia del COVID-19 y 33% durante la pandemia COVID-19. La necesidad de servicios IBH aumentó durante el período de tiempo del COVID-19, lo cual resultó en un aumento significativo en servicios IBH. Conclusiones: Para niños CMC y quienes les cuidan, las necesidades sicosociales identificadas a través de la detección sicosocial se mantuvieron altas durante la pandemia, lo que demuestra lo importante de la detección para este grupo de población. La necesidad de servicios IBH durante la pandemia COVID-19 aumentó, subrayando el valor y demanda de estos servicios en particular durante un momento sin precedente.
Objectif: Les Enfants avec une Complexité Médicale (abrégé ici en français ECM) et les personnes qui prennent soin d'eux sont à un risque plus élevé de facteurs de stress psychosociaux multiples qui peuvent impacter le bien-être de l'enfant et de la famille ainsi que la santé. Durant la pandémie du COVID-19, lorsque l'accès aux soutiens a diminué le dépistage psychosocial et les services de santé comportementale intégrée (SCI) dans les contextes de soins primaires se sont avérés cruciaux pour l'identification et la prise en charge des besoins uniques de cette population. Méthodes: Le dépistage universel afin d'identifier les besoins psychosociaux a été mis en place dans une clinique de soin primaire pour les ECM qui comporte des services SCI. Les données sur la prévalence du dépistage psychosocial et les services SCI pour les jeunes enfants et les personnes prenant soin d'eux avant et après la pandémie du COVID-19 ont été évalués. Résultats: Les niveaux de dépistage psychosocial sont restés stables durant la pandémie. Des besoins psychosociaux ont été identifiés pour 36% des dépistés avant la pandémie du COVID-19 et 33% durant la pandémie du COVID-19. Le besoin de services SCI a augmenté durant la période, résultant en une augmentation importante des services SCI. Conclusions: Pour les ECM et les personnes prenant soin d'eux, les besoins psychosociaux identifiés à travers le dépistage psychosocial est resté élevé pendant la pandémie, démontrant l'importance du dépistage pour cette population. Le besoin de services SCI durant la pandémie du COVID-19 a augmenté, ce qui souligne la valeur et le besoin de ces services surtout durant ces temps sans précédents.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Caregivers , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Stress, Psychological/epidemiologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The current COVID-19 pandemic reveals the dangerousness of infectious diseases and the threats we face. Often however, effective vaccinations are carried out insufficiently. In March 2020, the German measles protection law was introduced to raise the level of population (herd) immunity to over 95 %. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was conducted among the population on the Measles Protection Act with self-declarations on measles vaccination/illness of participants and their children and evaluation of various sanctions. RESULTS: 1,594 adults participated. 19.3 % were affected by the law. Of these, only 77.5 % were immune to measles, 14.0 % wanted to be fully vaccinated when the law came into force, which would lead to 91.5 % immunity. Assuming that participants with unclear vaccination status or measles disease are immune, an immunity of>95 % can be achieved. 86.4 % of the children (aged 2 to 17 years) had developed immunity. Parents' willingness to have their children vaccinated because of the sanctions provided for in the Measles Protection Act was only 0.8 %. CONCLUSION: The level of immunity to measles in adults and children was under 95 % in our study. The sanctions of the Measles Protection Act are a greater incentive for adults to undergo measles vaccination than for parents. Strategies to increase immunity with the target group of parents should continue to be pursued.