The COVID Generation

Jun 30

Pediatric populations are highly susceptible to indirect effects of COVID-19; let’s not make it worse

In its third year, with more than 1 million Americans dead, cultural and social faults fractured further along lines of “personal” freedom and civic duty (masking, vaccination, distancing), and exacerbated disparities in healthcare, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has left many people foundering in its wake, including the developmentally vulnerable—children and adolescents.

Inadequate research and generational rhetoric can lead to harmful assumptions and speculations

We can’t determine the impact of COVID-19 on the young and hope to confront it through inadequate research. Yet, some of the emerging research that we depend on to help us understand and cope with the impact of the pandemic on the pediatric population has been driven, in the rush to provide real-time results, by poor quality work.

Complicating matters is misplaced rhetoric, that is, generationalism that can lead to harmful assumptions and speculations rather than to identifying real dangers associated with those people who make up the “COVID Generation.” Common stereotypes include “Generation Me,” whose behavioral narrative suggests that these individuals are selfish and unwilling to take steps to confront the pandemic, and Generation X, who prefer social isolation.

The consequences of poor quality research are understandable; however, assumptions about the behavior of a new generation of people and speculation about the impact of the pandemic on them is more challenging to appreciate.

What do we know?

Assumptions and speculations aside, we have learned from sound, peer-reviewed research that COVID-19 can affect the pediatric population directly and indirectly. Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a direct effect. Important indirect effects include the consequences of COVID-19 on social and emotional well-being and mental health.

Unintended consequences of school closures

School closures for in-person learning were intended to help protect students from exposure to COVID-19. Students have, however, faced a number of unintended consequences related to school closures: the effect of physical distancing and isolation on mental health and well-being; missed well-care and immunization appointments; housing and food insecurity; unhealthy weight gain; new-onset type 2 diabetes; and uncertainty for the future.

Notably, research on the impact of school closings during the first wave of the pandemic revealed a substantial decrease in child protection referrals (child abuse notifications). Teachers and other school personnel account for 1 of every 5 child protection referrals and therefore play an important role in the surveillance of child abuse and neglect. The absence of such a warning system puts children at increased risk of violence and mistreatment in the home

“At a policy level, research suggests that social isolation may contribute to and confer risk for mental health concerns. As such, the closure of schools and recreational activities should be considered a last resort.”

—Nicole Racine, et al.

Pandemic prevalence of anxiety and depression in pediatric populations

The estimated global prevalence of generalized anxiety and of depressive symptoms among large youth cohorts was 11.6% and 12.9%, respectively, in the years before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pediatric populations throughout the world have experienced severe disruptions to everyday life at home and at school. These disruptions have been expected to trigger psychological distress, particularly clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Several studies have in fact found increases in anxiety and depression in youthful cohorts; however, the data vary markedly and cloud the issue.

Anxiety and depression double in the first year

To help clarify the data, researchers conducted a large, rigorous meta-analysis of 29 epidemiologic studies that in total included more than 80,000 participants 18 years of age or younger. The study’s findings showed that first-year prevalence estimates for generalized anxiety and depression were twice as high as similar estimates obtained before the pandemic. These results reveal that 1 in every 5 youths throughout the world suffered anxiety and 1 in every 4 suffered depression in the first year of the pandemic.

What can we do?

Children are resilient, but they require support.

Parents, caregivers, and teachers can provide social connection and stability. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a COVID-19 parental resource kit that provides tips and resources for helping children from early childhood to young adulthood. The kit can help parents, caregivers, and teachers identify children in need and recommend specific approaches to help them cope
Researchers, whose findings may shape policy for years to come, must conduct high-quality research that confidently answers the questions about the short-, medium-, and long-term impact of the pandemic on the pediatric population
Policy makers, informed by high-quality research, must plan and implement systems that protect the well-being and mental health of children while balancing the benefits and risks of their policies

Understanding the effects of COVID-19, both direct and indirect, on pediatric populations requires not only near real-time research but also results of the highest quality and integrity. Findings founded on thorough and rigorous scientific research methods and execution can help guide preventative measures and effective responses in the pandemics to come.

Furthermore, we must not assume through generalizations that someone assigned to a generation is insecure, socially challenged, or otherwise damaged. We must not speculate how the pandemic may affect an individual according to his or her age or membership in any particular group. The pandemic has been hard on adults and children alike. Together, we can make it better.

Written by Gene Lysko, Medical Writer

Gene is a senior medical writer at Artcraft Health. He has helped create content for diverse clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and medical screening and diagnostic industries. Gene is passionate about the philosophy of science, cancer biology, clinical trials, and Mother Nature. He has been a valued contributor at Artcraft Health since 2012.

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