The study by a research team at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf shows that the psychological stress on children and young people is significantly higher than before the pandemic. Children and young people from socio-economically disadvantaged families are particularly affected. However, over the course of the survey period (December 2020 to February 2022), mental stress improved at least slightly. The fourth follow-up survey from autumn 2022 is currently being evaluated.
The 3rd survey showed that children are more active again, are less online, and behavioral problems such as anxiety and depression have also decreased slightly. Overall, the quality of life of children and young people has noticeably improved. Psychosomatic complaints were on a comparable level.
The researchers suspect that children from stable family backgrounds in particular will be able to cope well with the consequences. Nevertheless, children and young people are still (sometimes heavily) bearing the burden of the pandemic. This is particularly true for children who were already under stress before the pandemic or whose parents are suffering from mental stress. The researchers recommend developing strategies and targeted, low-threshold programs in the field of prevention and health promotion in order to be able to compensate for these disadvantages.
More information on the COPSY study website.
