Objective: The COVID-19 epidemic has spread worldwide since December 2019 To contain it, preventive measures including social distancing, economic shutdown, and school closures were introduced, carrying the risk of mental health burden in adults and children Although the knowledge base regarding children's response to trauma and adverse events in general has broadened, descriptions of their mental health during epidemics remain scarce In particular, the role of family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health are poorly understood We assessed the correlates of children’s emotional difficulties and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention during the COVID-19 lockdown in a French community-based sample Data came from 432 community-based parents (27–46 years, TEMPO cohort) and their children (mean age 6 8 ± 4 1) interviewed online Children’s symptoms of emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention were assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire during the 5th week of home confinement Family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health and substance use were assessed weekly during the first 5 weeks of home confinement Data were analyzed using logistic regression models 7 1% of children presented symptoms of emotional difficulties and 24 7% symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention Family financial difficulties and parental symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as children’s sleeping difficulties and screen time, were associated with the presence of psychological difficulties Children's emotional and behavioural difficulties are associated with parental mental health and socioeconomic difficulties In the unprecedented situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, parents and professionals involved in caring for children should pay special attention to their mental health needs Methods: The COVID-19 epidemic has spread worldwide since December 2019 To contain it, preventive measures including social distancing, economic shutdown, and school closures were introduced, carrying the risk of mental health burden in adults and children Although the knowledge base regarding children's response to trauma and adverse events in general has broadened, descriptions of their mental health during epidemics remain scarce In particular, the role of family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health are poorly understood We assessed the correlates of children’s emotional difficulties and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention during the COVID-19 lockdown in a French community-based sample Data came from 432 community-based parents (27–46 years, TEMPO cohort) and their children (mean age 6 8 ± 4 1) interviewed online Children’s symptoms of emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention were assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire during the 5th week of home confinement Family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health and substance use were assessed weekly during the first 5 weeks of home confinement Data were analyzed using logistic regression models 7 1% of children presented symptoms of emotional difficulties and 24 7% symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention Family financial difficulties and parental symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as children’s sleeping difficulties and screen time, were associated with the presence of psychological difficulties Children's emotional and behavioural difficulties are associated with parental mental health and socioeconomic difficulties In the unprecedented situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, parents and professionals involved in caring for children should pay special attention to their mental health needs Results: The COVID-19 epidemic has spread worldwide since December 2019 To contain it, preventive measures including social distancing, economic shutdown, and school closures were introduced, carrying the risk of mental health burden in adults and children Although the knowledge base regarding children's response to trauma a d dverse events in general has broadened, descriptions of their mental health during epidemics remain scarce In particular, the role of family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health are poorly understood We assessed the correlates of children’s emotional difficulties and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention during the COVID-19 lockdown in a French community-based sample Data came from 432 community-based parents (27–46 years, TEMPO cohort) and their children (mean age 6 8 ± 4 1) interviewed online Children’s symptoms of emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention were assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire during the 5th week of home confinement Family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health and substance use were assessed weekly during the first 5 weeks of home confinement Data were analyzed using logistic regression models 7 1% of children presented symptoms of emotional difficulties and 24 7% symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention Family financial difficulties and parental symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as children’s sleeping difficulties and screen time, were associated with the presence of psychological difficulties Children's emotional and behavioural difficulties are associated with parental mental health and socioeconomic difficulties In the unprecedented situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, parents and professionals involved in caring for children should pay special attention to their mental health needs Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic has spread worldwide since December 2019 To contain it, preventive measures including social distancing, economic shutdown, and school closures were introduced, carrying the risk of mental health burden in adults and children Although the knowledge base regarding children's response to trauma and adverse events in general has broadened, descriptions of their mental health during epidemics remain scarce In particular, the role of family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health are poorly understood We assessed the correlates of children’s emotional difficulties and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention during the COVID-19 lockdown in a French community-based sample Data came from 432 community-based parents (27–46 years, TEMPO cohort) and their children (mean age 6 8 ± 4 1) interviewed online Children’s symptoms of emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention were assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire during the 5th week of home confinement Family socioeconomic characteristics and parental mental health and substance use were assessed weekly during the first 5 weeks of home confinement Data were analyzed using logistic regression models 7 1% of children presented symptoms of emotional difficulties and 24 7% symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention Family financial difficulties and parental symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as children’s sleeping difficulties and screen time, were associated with the presence of psychological difficulties Children's emotional and behavioural difficulties are associated with parental mental health and socioeconomic difficulties In the unprecedented situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, parents and professionals involved in caring for children should pay special attention to their mental health needs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
Risk and protective factors related to children’s symptoms of emotional difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention during the COVID-19-related lockdown in France: results from a community sample