Pandemic related increase in depression in kids and teens stronger among girls and wealthier families

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-05-02 01:00

International

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Depression symptoms in children and teenagers increased during the pandemic, with the effect more pronounced in girls and young people from relatively higher-income backgrounds, according to an international study. The team looked at previously-published studies comparing pre- and post-pandemic depression and anxiety symptoms across 12 countries including two from Australia, and say there was strong evidence of an increase in depression symptoms across the board and evidence for a slight increase in anxiety symptoms.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Calgary, Canada

Funder: Dr Vaillancourt is the Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force for the Royal Society of Canada. Dr Korczak is the Chair of the Mental Health Task Force of the Canadian Paediatric Society. No other disclosures were reported.

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