School closures and lockdowns linked to poorer mental health in kids

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-01-19 03:00

International

During the first wave of the pandemic, school closures and lockdowns were linked to adverse mental health symptoms (such as distress and anxiety) and health behaviours (such as higher screen time and lower physical activity) among children and adolescents, according to a review of data. The authors say they could not separate the effects of school closures specifically from the effects of broader social lockdown measures, although there are theoretical reasons why school closures may have contributed to a considerable proportion of the harm. They suggest the benefits of school closures for controlling infectious diseases should be balanced with the potential for adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviours among children and adolescents.

Media release

From: JAMA

School Closures During COVID-19 Lockdown, Health, Well-being of Children, Teens

JAMA Pediatrics
Review

What The Study Did: This review of 36 studies from 11 countries summarizes evidence from the first COVID-19 wave on school closures during social lockdown and the physical and mental health of children and teens.

Authors: Russell Viner, Ph.D., of the UCL Great Ormond St. Institute of Child Health in London, is the corresponding author.

(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.5840)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: UCL Great Ormond St Institute of Child Health, UK

Funder: None reported.

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