Children Wellbeing and Development During Covid-19
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Wellbeing is a term used synonymously with a wide range of concepts including self-esteem, self efficacy, self-determination, resilience, quality of life, mood enhancement, positive mental health, life satisfaction, and worth wholeness. It is variously linked to positive and negative affect, quality of life, happiness, personal growth and flourishing, capability, self-acceptance, positive relationships and autonomy [1] [2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines wellness as “the optimal state of health of individuals and groups" and it is expressed as “a positive approach to living”[3] . According to the WHO, wellness has two cardinal concerns, which are the achievement of individuals’ fullest potentials physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually and economically, and carrying out individuals’ expectation in the family, community, place of worship, workplace and other settings. Children and adolescents are generally healthy and do not require much health care outside of regular checkups and immunizations. However, mental health care is very important for children and adolescents[1].
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus which can result in acute respiratory distress in humans and is transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact routes. It was declared as a global pandemic virus outbreak on March 11, 2020 by the WHO [4]. The COVID‐19 global pandemic has brought many challenges to people's lives including quarantine and other social distancing measures put in place to prevent the rapid spread of infection and serious illness or death [5]. The scale and scope of this pandemic are exceptional, and come with economic, health, and educational disruptions emanating that will have long‐lasting effects on young people’s development [6] .
Effects of Covid-19[edit | edit source]
- Health problems directly or indirectly related to Covid-19
Many people especially young children and adolescents are living the bad effects of Covid-19 as a consequence of rules and preventions measures in place in different countries. Reports from surveys in some countries like the US have shown that more than one-third of parents of children less than 6 years of age reported delaying health care visits [7]. Among the risk group, are also HIV-positive pregnant women and those in the postnatal period, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa, interrupting their supply of antiretroviral medication, placing their infants at risk of vertical transmission of HIV. Furthermore, interruptions to vaccinations schedule, illness and hospitalization also have effects on children's health, nutrition and wellbeing. As long as the critical resources are taken away from the primary care to curb the pandemic, the health care sector and its patients will continue to be in danger.
Economical Effects Crisis : financial instability for individuals as well as for companies
In several studies, parents reported financial concerns commonly due to one or both parents losing jobs as a result of the stay‐at‐home order or the financial crisis worldwide.[5] Parents are therefore constantly worrying when it comes to making payments related to food, school fees, rent, cars, health expenses, daily expenses ,etc.
Psychological effects
The COVID-19 pandemic may worsen existing mental health problems and lead to more cases among children and adolescents because of the unique combination of the public health crisis, social isolation, and economic recession[1]. The scientific community has increasingly reported the potential effects on on child wellbeing and mental health due to several causes among which anxiety and stress related to school closures. It has also been shown that social disruptions from the pandemic are linked with daily stressors that impact the quality of relationships between parents or caregivers; parents and their children as well as relationships among siblings [8].
Educational disruptions as a result of closures of early child care facilities and schools.
Physical Effects due to lack or reduced physical activities, etc.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Golberstein E, Wen H, Miller BF. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and mental health for children and adolescents. JAMA pediatrics. 2020 Sep 1;174(9):819-20.
- ↑ Louise Mansfield, Norma Daykin & Tess Kay (2020) Leisure and wellbeing,Leisure Studies, 39:1, 1-10. DOI: 10.1080/02614367.2020.1713195
- ↑ What Is Health and Wellness? From: https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_health_and_wellness/article.htm ( Accessed, 10/5/2021)
- ↑ Moore, S.A., Faulkner, G., Rhodes, R.E., Brussoni, M., Chulak-Bozzer, T., Ferguson, L.J., Mitra, R., O’Reilly, N., Spence, J.C., Vanderloo, L.M. and Tremblay, M.S., 2020. Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth: a national survey. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1), pp.1-11.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Neece C, McIntyre LL, Fenning R. Examining the impact of COVID‐19 in ethnically diverse families with young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 2020 Oct; 64(10):739-49.
- ↑ Benner AD, Mistry RS. Child Development During the COVID‐19 Pandemic Through a Life Course Theory Lens. Child Development Perspectives. 2020 Dec; 14(4):236-43.
- ↑ Yoshikawa, H., Wuermli, A.J., Britto, P.R., Dreyer, B., Leckman, J.F., Lye, S.J., Ponguta, L.A., Richter, L.M. and Stein, A., 2020. Effects of the global coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on early childhood development: short-and long-term risks and mitigating program and policy actions. The Journal of pediatrics, 223, pp.188-193.
- ↑ Prime H, Wade M, Browne DT. Risk and resilience in family well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Psychologist. 2020 May 21.
