ADVERTISEMENT
COVID-19 Negatively Impacted Mental Health in Children with ADHD
The COVID-19 pandemic increased mental health symptoms in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in addition to negatively effecting healthy lifestyle habits, according to new research published in Paediatrics & Child Health.
“The COVID-19 pandemic created an environment of restricted access to health and recreation services,” wrote Rose Swansburg, MBT, and co-investigators. “Lifestyle habits including sleep, eating, exercise, and screen use were modified, potentially exacerbating adverse mental health outcomes.”
Researchers aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on lifestyle and mental health for children with ADHD.
The Canada-based study assessed children aged 5- to 18-years old with ADHD on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and lifestyle behaviors. An online survey consisting of 113 questions was distributed via Facebook and Twitter, direct email messages, ADHD clinics, and University of Calgary–affiliated websites. Researchers received 587 completed surveys from caregivers.
The mean age of child was 10.14 years, and the participants were 28.3% female, 70.2% male, and 1.5% other.
Depression was assessed using PHQ-9, anxiety was assessed using GAD-7, and ADHD was assessed using SNAP-IV.
Depression, Anxiety Increased More in Young Women than Young Men During Pandemic
Of participants, 17.4% met the criteria for moderately severe to severe depression, while 14.1% met the criteria for anxiety, according to their respective scales. More than 73% of participants met scores for inattention on SNAP-IV, while 66.8% showed hyperactivity/impulsivity, and 38.6% showed oppositional defiant disorder behaviors.
In addition, changes in habits including sleep, eating, exercise, and screen use were extremely common.
Increased rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms was attributed to these habits, including greater than 3.5 hours of screen time per day, less hours of sleep per night, and increased intake in processed foods.
Of patients, 33.6%, the majority of whom were female, were participating in therapy at the time of the survey. One third of caregivers reported changes in access to therapy and medication during the pandemic.
“This study indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted lifestyle habits and mental health symptoms in Canadian children with ADHD,” the researchers concluded. “Longitudinal studies to better understand the relationship between these factors are recommended.”
—Erin McGuinness
