Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Cross Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51338/rppsm.313Keywords:
COVID‐19, Adolescent, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Mental HealthAbstract
Introduction: Children and adolescents with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could experience dis- turbances in their behaviour due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences.
On the other hand, the absence of classroom rules (good behaviour, timed tasks) at home might have led to symptomatic improvement.
The main goal of our study was to evaluate the perception of the carers of children and adolescents with ADHD regarding the impact of the pandemic in their child’s behaviour, emotions, and routines
Methods: We inquired 40 carers using the following instruments: Sociodemographic and Clinical data questionnaire; survey of evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on carers and their children and Conners Parent Rating Scale Revised (CPRSR) – Short form.
Results: Regarding the carer’s perception of the child’s behaviour changes, the majority noticed an improvement in agitation and instruction following and worsening in anxiety and frustration tolerance.
As far as the carer’s own perception of impact of the lockdown on themselves is concerned, there was a significant wors- ening of parental stress and carer’s irritability and anxiety.
We also evaluated the association between children’s behavioural worsening and the CPRSR dimensions. We highlight a positive and statistically significant association between child’s global worsening and the following dimensions: opposi- tion, motor activity and ADHD index.
Regarding the difference between child’s global worsening considering the carer’s own perception of impact of the lockdown on themselves, we found that children and adolescents whose carers reported worsening of anxiety, sadness, parental stress, and family relationship difficulties, revealed more severe worsening in their behaviour.
Conclusion: We consider that this study shows the importance of mental health services’ intervention in children and adolescents with ADHD amidst the COVID pandemic.
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