“As much as we, as parents, hate to see the daily impact the new normal has on our children, teaching them how to bounce back can be beneficial to them in the long run,” says Dr. Heugel.
Research has linked “mental toughness” to higher levels of school engagement.2 In other studies, resilience was found to be a potent protective factor against the effects of bullying.3 “It’s hard to see a silver lining in this difficult time, but with parental guidance and support, it can be a chance for character-building.”
Preliminary research out of Italy and Spain4, where the impact of COVID-19 has been significant, shows that nearly 86% of parents noted changes in their children’s emotional state and behaviors during the quarantine. Children in both countries spent less time engaging in physical activity and more hours sleeping, and families under more stress reported more emotional problems in their children. A study from India found similar results, with both quarantined and non-quarantined children showing high levels of psychological stress—and long-term behavior changes, such as vigilant hand-washing and avoidance of crowds being observed.
“From the uncertainty and anxiety to the disconnection and possible loneliness, this will be a very formative time in the lives of today’s children. By being there for them as a source of guidance and support—and modeling strong coping behaviors—adults have a powerful opportunity to teach a valuable life skill: resilience.”
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Since stress and anxiety in children and teens often manifest through physical symptoms or new habits, Dr. Heugel recommends being on the lookout for signs including:
Most of these symptoms are normal responses to a stressful situation, but if you feel that they are becoming excessive, please start a visit or consult a primary care provider.
Note: Currently, 98point6 does not treat conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder in pediatric patients; however, some/many behavioral health concerns can be addressed within the scope of primary care.
Another interesting finding in the previously mentioned study? The Italian children, who were permitted to take short walks, fared better than the Spanish ones, perhaps because the activity broke up the monotony of quarantine. There’s also evidence from prior research that adolescents living in “greener” areas have lower depressive symptoms.5
“My recommendation,” says Dr. Heugel, “is take advantage of the summer and fall weather and get out as a family in a way that is comfortable and responsible. The risk of outdoor transmission is lower, but still exists, so unless you are in your backyard or another isolated area, continue to practice and model the right precautions.”
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1 https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/dont-let-children-be-hidden-victims-covid-19-pandemic
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5554528/
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4235769/
4 https://psyarxiv.com/5bpfz/
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5963277/