{"id":1596,"date":"2020-07-09T16:06:31","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T16:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/crosbie\/?page_id=1596"},"modified":"2025-05-27T16:34:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T16:34:05","slug":"covid-19-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/crosbie\/covid-19-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 & Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are no longer recruiting for this study. Thank you to everyone who reached out and helped us reach our recruitment goals!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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We recruited children and youth aged 0\u201318 and their families to participate in this research project. Parents and children (if 10 years of age or older) could participate as a pair or separately.<\/p>\n

We asked families to complete online questionnaires about your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and how the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their family.<\/p>\n

The study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 emergency measures on child and family mental health, well-being and functioning. This includes understanding how children and their parents were feeling as a result of the COVID-19 emergency measures, in addition to the impact on their relationships (i.e. with friends and extended family members) and daily activities (ex. physical activity, eating habits, screen time, and sleep).<\/p>\n

This study was conducted in collaboration with the SickKids Child and Youth Psychiatry Outpatient Program<\/a><\/em>, the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental (POND) Network<\/a><\/em>, The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!),<\/a><\/em> and Spit for Science<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Watch Dr. Crosbie’s Interview with Global News<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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For more information, email:<\/p>\n

covid.mentalhealth@sickkids.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

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Together, we are learning about the mental health impact of COVID-19 among families.
\nYour research participation told us that school, screen time, family, & socialization were important for youth mental health:<\/p>\n<\/div>

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SCHOOL<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Children and youth who participated in school clubs and sports during the pandemic had less depressive symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

School closures led to decreased…motivation, emotional engagement, and sense of belonging, which were associated with poor mental health and worsened by screen time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your participation informed guidelines that got children and youth back to in-person school.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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SCREEN TIME<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Children and youth who had higher screen time experienced worse mental health whether they were watching TV, playing video games, or doing online learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a relationship between parent screen use and children screen use. Both are linked to more child mental health symptoms and behavioural problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your participation was heard by Ontario COVID-19 Science Table to promote mindful screen use for parents, children, and youth.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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FAMILY<\/b><\/h3>\n

There is a relationship between parent mental health and child mental health.<\/p>\n

The pandemic led to many challenges with housing, employment, and finances, leading some families to experience worse mental health and more stress.<\/p>\n

When possible, sharing parenting is beneficial for mental health and structure at home is beneficial for younger children.<\/p>\n

Your participation raised awareness about the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of families.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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SOCIALIZATION<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Accessing mental health and autism services for children and youth was harder during COVID-19. Prior and continued access (telehealth, hybrid) was essential for their mental health.<\/p>\n

Children and youth who had more meaningful and active social connections had better mental health during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Your participation informed decisions to open safe spaces for socialization and ensure supports for children and youth with special education needs.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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You have told us that the pandemic had big and lasting impacts on the mental health of you and your family.
\nWith your voice, we can continue to learn how to best support children’s mental health.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Infographic<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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COVID-19 & Mental Health in the news!<\/h2>\n

Podcasts<\/h3>\n