Psychosocial Effects on Children and Adolescents During The Pandemic COVID-19

Abstract

The article aimed to discuss the psychosocial consequences of Covid 19-pandemic on children and adolescents who usually start interacting and socializing with peer groups. The author’s observations and experiences, along with a quick literature scan, are the basis for developing this manuscript. The manuscript describes the psychological and emotional problems children and adolescents face during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown along with possible solutions to reduce the adverse effects. Literature reveals that the younger population feels more distressed, anxious, nervous, hopeless, desperate, helpless, frustrated and develop decreased personal interactions due to long-run lockdown. Young children were severely affected by the social and educational disruption. They experienced poor social and emotional wellbeing, irritability and forbearance. They were terrified of becoming infected and were also agitated due to their confinement. Children with special needs/low-income groups faced more significant challenges as they became more intolerant to uncertainty and symptoms of stress, uneasiness and discomfort. Long periods of lockdown and excessive use of the internet and social media negatively impacted adolescents’ mental health. Daily routines and sleeping habits were severely disrupted. Parents struggled to strike a balance between life and work, as well as raising their children. The article discusses various challenges and possible solutions to balance the situation for improving the psychosocial health of children and adolescents. Key Message: This article is about issues and challenges, primarily psychosocial disturbances encountered by the children and adolescents during the pandemic COVID 19 and lockdown. It also discusses various strategic ways to deal with these issues. This article appeared necessary for sensitizing academicians, scientists, and researchers to acknowledge various psychosocial issues of this population segment to generate awareness and also sketches some ways outs to manage the challenges in these difficult times