Rapid Systematic Review: The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19
Open accessAbstract
Objective Disease containment of COVID-19 has necessitated widespread social isolation. We aimed to establish what is known about how loneliness and disease containment measures impact on the mental health in children and adolescents. Method For this rapid review, we searched MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1946, and March 29, 2020. Results A total of 83 articles (80 studies) met inclusion criteria. Social isolation and loneliness increased the risk of depression, and possibly anxiety, in children and adolescents.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
35 of 75 cited sources checked · 18 supported · 2 flagged · accuracy not yet measured
- Premisecitation
Children and adolescents are already at higher risk of developing mental health problems compared to adults.
“already at higher risk of developing mental health problems compared to adults3”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [3] Deighton, 2019, Prevalence of mental health problems in schools: poverty and other risk factors among 28 000 adolescents in England, Br J Psychiatry source
The Abstract (page unavailable) reports mental health problems among adolescents and factors associated with increased odds within that group. The paper does not compare children or adolescents with adults, so it does not support the claimed higher risk relative to adults. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Premisecitation
There are well established links between loneliness and mental health.
“There are well established links between loneliness and mental health.8”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [8] Wang, 2017, Social isolation in mental health: a conceptual and methodological review, Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol source
- Premisecitation
Quarantine in adults generally has negative psychological effects including confusion, anger, and posttraumatic distress.
“Quarantine in adults generally has negative psychological effects including confusion, anger, and posttraumatic distress.1 , 2”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked- cites [1] Brooks, 2020, The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence, Lancet source
- cites [2] Hossain
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Findingcitation
Three of four studies examining the longitudinal effect of loneliness on anxiety found that loneliness was associated with later anxiety.
“Three of the four studies that examined the longitudinal effect of loneliness on anxiety found that loneliness was associated with later anxiety.63 , 71 , 78”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked- cites [63] Danneel, 2019, Internalizing problems in adolescence: linking loneliness, social anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms over time, J Abnorm Child Psychol source
- cites [71] Mak, 2018, The role of family for youth friendships: examining a social anxiety mechanism, J Youth Adolesc source
- cites [78] Wang, 2020, Family dysfunction and adolescents' anxiety and depression: a multiple mediation model, J Appl Dev Psychol source
- Findingcitation
In the single study reporting odds ratios, being lonely was associated with increased odds of being anxious by 1.63 to 5.49 times.
“In the single study that reported odds ratios, being lonely was associated with increased odds of being anxious by 1.63 to 5.49 times.51”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [51] Stickley, 2016, Loneliness and its association with psychological and somatic health problems among Czech, Russian and U.S. adolescents, BMC Psychiatry source
- Premisecitation
Preliminary unpublished data from China during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years are commonly displaying behavioral manifestations of anxiety, including clinginess, distraction, fear of asking questions about the pandemic, and irritability.
“These results are consistent with preliminary unpublished data emerging from China during the COVID-19 pandemic, where children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years are commonly displaying behavioral manifestations of anxiety, including clinginess, distraction, fear of asking questions about the pandemic, and irritability.83”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [83] Jiao, 2020, Behavioral and emotional disorders in children during the COVID-19 epidemic, J Pediatr source
- Findingcitation
Other studies that assessed loneliness during childhood found evidence that it is associated with subsequent depression.
“although other studies that assessed loneliness during childhood found evidence that it is associated with subsequent depression.61 , 64”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked- cites [61] Boivin, 1995, The roles of social withdrawal, peer rejection, and victimization by peers in predicting loneliness and depressed mood in childhood, Dev Psychopathol source
- cites [64] Fontaine, 2009, Loneliness as a partial mediator of the relation between low social preference in childhood and anxious/depressed symptoms in adolescence, Dev Psychopathol source
- Interpretationreasoning
The association between loneliness and mental health outcomes in cross-sectional studies is very likely inflated.
“meaning that the association between loneliness and mental health outcomes in these studies is very likely to be inflated.16”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [16] Westfall, 2016, Statistically controlling for confounding constructs is harder than you think, PLoS One source
The Introduction and Discussion explain that imperfectly measured confounders can distort regression estimates and produce false claims of an independent association. The paper does not examine loneliness, mental-health outcomes, or the cited cross-sectional studies, so it does not establish that their associations are very likely inflated. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Findingcitation
One study of young adolescents found sex differences, with loneliness associated with later social anxiety in male participants but not female participants.
“One study of young adolescents found differences by sex, with loneliness being associated with later social anxiety in male participants but not female participants.71”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [71] Mak, 2018, The role of family for youth friendships: examining a social anxiety mechanism, J Youth Adolesc source
- Findingcitation
Negative associations were reported between social isolation/loneliness and well-being and mental health.
“Negative associations were reported between social isolation/loneliness and well-being26 , 27 and mental health.50”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked- cites [26] Heredia, 2017, The influence of loneliness and interpersonal relations on Latina/o Middle School Students’ Wellbeing, J Latinos Educ source
- cites [27] Houghton, 2016, It hurts to be lonely! Loneliness and positive mental wellbeing in Australian rural and urban adolescents, Journal Psychol Counsel Sch source
- cites [50] Stacciarini, 2015, Rural Latinos' mental wellbeing: a mixed-methods pilot study of family, environment and social isolation factors, Community Ment Health J source
- Findingcitation
Two studies reported odds ratios showing that lonely individuals were 5.846 to 40 times more likely to score above clinical cut-offs for depression.
“Two studies reported odds ratios, with those who were lonely 5.846 to 40 times51 more likely to score above clinical cut-offs for depression.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [51] Stickley, 2016, Loneliness and its association with psychological and somatic health problems among Czech, Russian and U.S. adolescents, BMC Psychiatry source
Table 3 (Results: Adolescent loneliness and psychological and somatic health; page unavailable) reports adjusted odds ratios as high as 40.13 for depressive symptoms among lonely adolescents, supporting the upper end of the stated range. It does not report an odds ratio of 5.846. The Methods (Measures; page unavailable) define the thresholds as top-quintile symptom scores, not clinical cut-offs, and this source reports one study rather than two. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Findingcitation
Two studies found that loneliness in childhood at age 5 years was not associated with depression several years later.
“Two studies found that loneliness in childhood at age 5 years was not associated with depression several years later,73 , 74”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked- cites [73] Qualter, 2010, Childhood loneliness as a predictor of adolescent depressive symptoms: an 8-year longitudinal study, Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry source
The Results (page not supplied) say that loneliness at age 5 did not independently predict depressive symptoms at age 13 in the adjusted model. But the paper also reports that persistent peer loneliness from ages 5 to 9 predicted later symptoms, and its initial correlations linked age-5 parent loneliness to several symptoms. Thus, the unqualified statement that age-5 loneliness was not associated with later depression overstates this study's finding; this paper also cannot establish what the second cited study found. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites [74] Schinka, 2013, Psychosocial predictors and outcomes of loneliness trajectories from childhood to early adolescence, J Adolesc source
- Findingcitation
Internalizing symptoms were associated with prior loneliness in primary school age children.
“Other mental health outcomes reported over time included internalizing symptoms which were associated with prior loneliness in primary school age children,64”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [64] Fontaine, 2009, Loneliness as a partial mediator of the relation between low social preference in childhood and anxious/depressed symptoms in adolescence, Dev Psychopathol source
The Results (page not available) report that Grade 6 loneliness was significantly associated with later anxious/depressed symptoms. However, those outcomes were measured in Grades 7–9, during adolescence, rather than in primary-school-age children as the citing sentence suggests. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Findingcitation
The length of loneliness appears to be a predictor of future mental health problems.
“The length of loneliness appears to be a predictor of future mental health problems.73”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [73] Qualter, 2010, Childhood loneliness as a predictor of adolescent depressive symptoms: an 8-year longitudinal study, Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry source
The Results and Discussion report that persistent peer-related loneliness in childhood predicted depressive symptoms in adolescence. The claim broadens this finding to loneliness generally and to future mental health problems beyond depressive symptoms; the paper also reports that the duration of parent-related loneliness did not predict depression. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Findingcitation
One large study of adolescents (n = 3,088) found that loneliness was not associated with depression 1 year later.
“One large study of adolescents (n = 3,088) found that loneliness was not associated with depression 1 year later.63”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [63] Danneel, 2019, Internalizing problems in adolescence: linking loneliness, social anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms over time, J Abnorm Child Psychol source
- Findingcitation
One study did not find that loneliness/social isolation at age 5 years was associated with anxiety at age 12 years.
“One study did not find that loneliness/social isolation at age 5 years was associated with anxiety at age 12 years.72”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [72] Matthews, 2015, Social isolation and mental health at primary and secondary school entry: a longitudinal cohort study, J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry source
The Results section, “Social Isolation in Primary School and Mental Health Difficulties at Secondary School Entry,” reports that age-5 social isolation was associated with increased anxiety symptoms at age 12 in the initial analysis. That association was no longer significant after controlling for age-5 mental health problems. The claim omits this adjustment and describes the measure as loneliness/social isolation, whereas the study measured social isolation. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Premisecitation
Computerized CBT programs such as MoodGym, SPARX, and 'Think, Feel, Do' generally have small but positive effects on mental health.
“Furthermore, computerized CBT, such as MoodGym, SPARX, and “Think, Feel, Do” generally have small but positive effects on mental health.96 , 97”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 2 sources checked- cites [96] Pennant, 2015, Computerised therapies for anxiety and depression in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Behav Res Ther source
The Study characteristics cCBT section identifies MoodGym, SPARX, and Think Feel Do as programs reviewed. The Depression and Anxiety sections report small improvements for young people in general-population studies, but also report larger or uncertain effects in other groups. The claim overgeneralizes the size of the effect and omits the review’s restriction to children and young people; page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites [97] Grist, 2019, Technology delivered interventions for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev source
The Results (Computerized and Internet-Based CBT) identify SPARX and Think Feel Do as programs studied for depression or anxiety in children and adolescents, and the Discussion (Sub-group Analyses Findings) reports a benefit from CBT-based interventions. But the paper reports a moderate CBT effect (g = 0.66), not a generally small one, and our copy does not identify MoodGym among the programs reviewed. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
- Interpretationcitation
Simply increasing the frequency of contact may not address young people's subjective experience of loneliness.
“However, simply increasing the frequency of contact may not address young people’s subjective experience of loneliness.39”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [39] Matthews, 2016, Social isolation, loneliness and depression in young adulthood: a behavioural genetic analysis, Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol source
- Premisecitation
A computerized self-help program based on CBT, BRAVE-TA, was shown to be effective for anxiety following the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand.
“A computerized self-help program that is based on cognitive−behavioral therapy (CBT), BRAVE-TA was shown to be effective for anxiety following the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand.95”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [95] Moor, 2019, 'E' therapy in the community: examination of the uptake and effectiveness of BRAVE (a self-help computer programme for anxiety in children and adolescents) in primary care, Internet Interv source
- Findingnone given
Duration of loneliness was more strongly correlated with mental health symptoms than intensity of loneliness.
“Duration of loneliness was more strongly correlated with mental health symptoms than intensity of loneliness.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The review identified 83 articles representing 80 studies that met the inclusion criteria.
“A total of 83 articles (80 studies) met inclusion criteria.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation
Two parent-reported measures of PTSD symptoms found that children exposed to disease containment measures scored significantly higher for PTSD symptoms postpandemic.
“Two different parent-reported measures of PTSD symptoms found that those children exposed to disease containment measures scored significantly higher for PTSD symptoms postpandemic.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
Duration of loneliness was more strongly associated with anxiety than intensity of loneliness.
“The duration of loneliness was more strongly associated with anxiety than intensity of loneliness.25 , 41”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Findingcitation
On the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index, 30% of children who experienced isolation/quarantine scored above the cut-off for PTSD, compared to 1.1% of those who had not, with Cramer V = 0.449.
“Similarly, on the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index, 30% of children who experienced isolation/quarantine scored above the cut-off for PTSD, compared to 1.1% of those who had not experienced isolation/quarantine (effect size: Cramer V = 0.449).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
A total of 45 studies examined the cross-sectional relationship between depressive symptoms and loneliness and/or social isolation.
“A total of 45 studies examined the cross-sectional relationship between depressive symptoms and loneliness and/or social isolation.17 , 19 , 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 , 28, 29, 30 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 , 40, 41, 42 , 44 , 46, 47, 48, 49 , 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 , 58 , 61 , 63 , 66 , 68 , 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation
In a large longitudinal cohort of vulnerable young people aged 11 to 17 years, after controlling for caregiver neglect and other covariates, a 1 SD increase in self-reported peer isolation was associated with a 0.49 SD increase in depression symptoms.
“In a large longitudinal cohort of vulnerable young people, aged 11 to 17 years, after controlling for caregiver neglect and other relevant covariates, a substantial increase in self-reported peer isolation (1 SD) was associated with an increase in depression symptoms (0.49 SD).62”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [62] Christ, 2017, The joint impact of parental psychological neglect and peer isolation on adolescents' depression, Child Abuse Negl source
- Findingnone given
The strength and direction of the associations between loneliness/social isolation and depressive symptoms did not differ by age of the sample.
“However, the strength and direction of the associations did not differ by age of the sample.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Mean PTSD scores were four times higher in the isolated/quarantined group than in those not isolated/quarantined.
“Mean scores were four times higher in the isolated/quarantined group than in those who had not been isolated/quarantined.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
A relatively intensive peer mentor program with an adult mentor, 4 to 6 hours per month for 4 months on average, reduced loneliness and mental health problems with small to medium effects for victims of bullying and victimization.
“A relatively intensive peer mentor program, with an adult mentor, 4 to 6 hours per month for 4 months on average, reduced loneliness and mental health problems (small to medium effects) for victims of bullying and victimization.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
A total of 53 studies stated that they measured the impact of loneliness on mental health.
“A total of 53 studies stated that they measured the impact of loneliness on mental health.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation
Of the longitudinal studies, 12 of 15 found that loneliness was associated with depression and explained a significant amount of variance in severity of depression symptoms several months to several years later.
“In all, 12 of the 15 studies found that loneliness is associated with depression and explained a significant amount of the variance in severity of depression symptoms several months to several years later.61 , 62 , 64 , 65 , 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 , 74, 75, 76, 77 , 79 , 80”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
Loneliness was associated with future mental health problems up to 9 years later.
“Loneliness was associated with future mental health problems up to 9 years later.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
The findings were consistent across studies of children, adolescents, and young adults.
“These findings were consistent across studies of children, adolescents, and young adults.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingreasoning
The remaining 65 articles reported on 63 studies examining loneliness or disease containment measures in healthy children and adolescents.
“The remaining 65 articles reported on 63 studies that examined the impact of loneliness or disease containment measures on healthy children and adolescents.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
Suicidal ideation during adolescence was not associated with prior loneliness during childhood.
“and suicidal ideation during adolescence, which was not associated with prior loneliness during childhood.74”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [74] Schinka, 2013, Psychosocial predictors and outcomes of loneliness trajectories from childhood to early adolescence, J Adolesc source
- Findingcitation
A study of university students found a sex difference, with loneliness associated with later depression in female participants but not male participants.
“A study of university students found evidence of a sex difference, with loneliness being associated with later depression in female participants but not in male participants.70”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [70] Liu, 2020, Gender differences in the influence of social isolation and loneliness on depressive symptoms in college students: a longitudinal study, Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol source
- Findingown data
Most cross-sectional studies reported moderate to large correlations between depressive symptoms and loneliness/social isolation, ranging from r = 0.12 to r = 0.81.
“Most reported moderate to large correlations (0.12 ≤ r ≤ 0.81), and most included a measure of depressive symptoms.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Eighteen studies followed participants over time.
“Eighteen studies followed participants over time (Table 3).61 , 62 , 64 , 65 , 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 , 74, 75, 76, 77 , 79 , 80”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The strongest association was between loneliness and depression.
“The strongest association was with depression.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingnone given
The most common trauma symptoms in the quarantined/isolated group were avoidance/numbing (57.8%), re-experiencing (57.8%), and arousal (62.5%).
“The most common trauma symptoms in the quarantined/isolated group were avoidance/numbing (57.8%), re-experiencing (57.8%), and arousal (62.5%).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The review of 63 studies with 51,576 participants found a clear association between loneliness and mental health problems in children and adolescents.
“This rapid systematic review of 63 studies of 51,576 participants found a clear association between loneliness and mental health problems in children and adolescents.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
Generalized anxiety had moderate associations with loneliness/social isolation (r = 0.37, 0.40).
“there were moderate associations between generalized anxiety and loneliness/social isolation (r = 0.37, 0.40).45 , 30”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Findingcitation
One-third of parents whose children had been subjected to disease containment measures said their child had needed mental health service input because of pandemic-related experiences.
“One-third of parents whose children had been subjected to disease containment measures said that their child had needed mental health service input because of their pandemic-related experiences.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Social anxiety was moderately to strongly associated with loneliness/social isolation, ranging from r = 0.33 to r = 0.72.
“Social anxiety was moderately to strongly associated with loneliness/social isolation (0.33 ≤ r ≤ 0.72)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation
A brief two-session universal classroom-based program delivered in schools including psychosocial support through peer mentors and a staff mental health support team did not reduce loneliness.
“However, a brief (two-session) universal classroom-based program delivered in schools including psychosocial support through peer mentors and a staff mental health support team did not reduce loneliness.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Studies examining anxiety found small to moderate associations between anxiety and loneliness/social isolation, ranging from r = 0.18 to r = 0.54.
“Those that did found small to moderate associations between anxiety and loneliness/social isolation (0.18 ≤ r ≤ 0.54).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
One retrospective study reported on mental health and social isolation in the context of different infections including H1N1, SARS, and avian flu.
“One study60 reported on mental health and social isolation in the context of different infections, including H1N1, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and avian flu (Table 2).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [60] Sprang, 2013, Posttraumatic stress disorder in parents and youth after health-related disasters, Disaster Med Public Health Prep source
- Findingnone given
The included studies were not conducted in the context of an uncertain but dangerous threat to health.
“The studies were also not in the context of an uncertain but dangerous threat to health.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
There is limited evidence indicating specific interventions to prevent loneliness or reduce its effects on mental health and well-being.
“There is limited evidence that indicates specific interventions to prevent loneliness or to reduce its effects on mental health and well-being.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingreasoning
Social anxiety was more strongly associated with loneliness than other anxiety subtypes.
“Social anxiety was more strongly associated with loneliness than other anxiety subtypes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingnone given
The review indicates that loneliness is associated with adverse mental health in children and adolescents.
“The review indicates that loneliness is associated with adverse mental health in children and adolescents.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
All but one study investigated social isolation that was not enforced on young people and was not common across a peer group.
“All but one study investigated social isolation that was not enforced on young people and was not common across a peer group.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
More than one-third of adolescents report high levels of loneliness in the COVID-19 context.
“more than one-third of adolescents report high levels of loneliness5 , 6”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [5] Oxford ARC Study. Achieving resilience during COVID-19 weekly report 2. 2020. Available at: http://mentalhealthresearchmatters.org.uk/achieving-resilience-during-covid-19-psycho-social-risk-protective-factors-amidst-a-pandemic-in-adolescents/. Accessed May 22, 2020.
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites [6] Young Minds. Coronavirus report March 2020. 2020. Available at: https://youngminds.org.uk/media/3708/coronavirus-report_march2020.pdf. Accessed May 24, 2020.
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation
Almost half of 18- to 24-year-olds are lonely during lockdown.
“almost half of 18- to 24-year olds are lonely during lockdown.7”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [7] Mental Health Foundation. Loneliness during Corona-virus. 2020. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/loneliness-during-coronavirus. Accessed May 22, 2020.
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning
Social distancing and school closures are likely to result in increased loneliness in children and adolescents whose usual social contacts are curtailed by disease containment measures.
“Social distancing and school closures are likely to result in increased loneliness in children and adolescents whose usual social contacts are curtailed by the disease containment measures.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: COVID-19 disease containment measures have caused widespread social isolation.
- Rests on an assumption: Children and adolescents are in a prolonged state of physical separation from peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.
- Interpretationreasoning
Social distancing and school closures may increase mental health problems in children and adolescents.
“Social distancing and school closures may therefore increase mental health problems in children and adolescents”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: COVID-19 disease containment measures have caused widespread social isolation.
- Rests on an assumption: Children and adolescents are in a prolonged state of physical separation from peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.
- Interpretationreasoning
The likelihood of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents may increase as enforced isolation continues.
“This may increase as enforced isolation continues.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: COVID-19 disease containment measures have caused widespread social isolation.
- Rests on an assumption: Children and adolescents are in a prolonged state of physical separation from peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.
- Study design and conductown data
Four longitudinal studies used multi-informant approaches including self-report and parent and/or teacher report to assess mental health outcomes.
“Four longitudinal studies used multi-informant approaches, including self-report and parent and/or teacher report to assess mental health outcomes.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Study design and conductcitation
In cross-sectional studies, likely confounders such as adversity and socioeconomic status were rarely controlled for.
“In cross-sectional studies, likely confounders (eg, adversity, socioeconomic status [SES]) were rarely controlled for”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The rapid review suggests that loneliness that may result from disease containment measures in the COVID-19 context could be associated with subsequent mental health problems in young people.
“The rapid review suggests that loneliness that may result from disease containment measures in the COVID-19 context could be associated with subsequent mental health problems in young people.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Evidence about non-enforced social isolation and loneliness can inform the likely mental health outcome for children and adolescents subjected to enforced social isolation.
- Interpretationreasoning
These features limit the extent to which existing evidence can be extrapolated to the current COVID-19 context.
“These features limit the extent to which we can extrapolate from existing evidence to the current context.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The subjective social isolation experienced by study participants did not mirror the current features of social isolation experienced by many children and adolescents worldwide.
“The subjective social isolation experienced by study participants did not mirror the current features of social isolation experienced by many children and adolescents worldwide.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
Social anxiety may be more strongly associated with loneliness because social anxiety is triggered by a perceived threat to social relationships or status.
“This may be because social anxiety is triggered by a perceived threat to social relationships or status.90”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [90] Leary, 1990, Responses to social exclusion: social anxiety, jealousy, loneliness, depression and low self-esteem, J Soc Clin Psychology source
- Interpretationcitation
The effect of widespread social distancing could mitigate against the social isolation described with increased use of Internet-mediated relationships, which can be beneficial to adolescents.
“The effect of widespread social distancing could mitigate against the social isolation described with increased use of Internet-mediated relationships, which can be beneficial to adolescents.92”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [92] Przybylski
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Study design and conductreasoning
The main limitation of the review is the lack of high-quality studies investigating mental health problems after enforced isolation.
“The main limitation of this review is the lack of high-quality studies investigating mental health problems after enforced isolation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation
Loneliness as an unintended consequence of disease containment measures seems particularly problematic for young people.
“In addition to the more direct effects of enforced isolation and quarantine, loneliness as an unintended consequence of disease containment measures seems to be particularly problematic for young people.5 , 7”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [5] Oxford ARC Study. Achieving resilience during COVID-19 weekly report 2. 2020. Available at: http://mentalhealthresearchmatters.org.uk/achieving-resilience-during-covid-19-psycho-social-risk-protective-factors-amidst-a-pandemic-in-adolescents/. Accessed May 22, 2020.
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites [7] Mental Health Foundation. Loneliness during Corona-virus. 2020. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/loneliness-during-coronavirus. Accessed May 22, 2020.
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation
Losing links to other people and feeling excluded can result in an affective response of depression.
“Losing links to other people and feeling excluded can result in an affective response of depression.89”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [89] Beck, 1988, Anxiety and depression: an information processing perspective, Anxiety Research source
- Interpretationcitation
The particular importance of the peer group for identity and support during this developmental stage may explain why loneliness is particularly problematic for young people.
“This may be because of the particular importance of the peer group for identity and support during this developmental stage.87 , 88”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [87] Brown, 1986, The importance of peer group ('crowd') affiliation in adolescence, J Adolescence source
- cites [88] Meeus, 1995, Identity development, parental and peer support in adolescence: results of a national Dutch survey, Adolescence
- May combine two claims. 34
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 12
- The quote only partly states this claim. 1
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataSeven studies stated that they measured the impact of social isolation on mental health, but their social isolation measures were subscales or questions from loneliness scales or strongly overlapped with loneliness, so they were considered together with loneliness studies.
“Seven studies stated that they measured the impact of social isolation39 , 45 , 50 , 59 , 69 , 70 , 72 on mental health, but the social isolation measures used were either subscales or questions from loneliness scales, or strongly overlapped with the construct of loneliness. Therefore, we have considered them together with studies that measured loneliness.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked- cites [39] Matthews, 2016, Social isolation, loneliness and depression in young adulthood: a behavioural genetic analysis, Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol source
Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 0 partially supported, 1 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.
Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites [45] Richardson, 2019, The moderating role of sleep in the relationship between social isolation and internalising problems in early adolescence, Child Psychiatry Hum Dev source
- cites [50] Stacciarini, 2015, Rural Latinos' mental wellbeing: a mixed-methods pilot study of family, environment and social isolation factors, Community Ment Health J source
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationSelf-help interventions including bibliotherapy and computerized therapy have shown a moderate positive effect size compared to control groups, although they are generally less effective than face-to-face therapies.
“Self-help interventions including bibliotherapy99 and computerized therapy100 have shown a moderate positive effect size when compared to control groups although they are generally less effective than face to face therapies.101”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim3 of 3 sources checked- cites [99] Creswell, 2017, Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of brief guided parent-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focused brief therapy for treatment of childhood anxiety disorders: a randomised controlled trial, Lancet Psychiatry source
Citation 101 is attached to the claim that self-help interventions are generally less effective than face-to-face therapies. The Introduction says brief guided parent-delivered CBT, which uses a self-help book, had similar outcomes to more intensive traditional CBT; the Discussion likewise describes outcomes as similar to more intensive child-focused CBT. The paper does not establish the broader comparison for computerized therapy. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites [100] Lillevoll, 2014, Uptake and adherence of a self-directed internet-based mental health intervention with tailored e-mail reminders in senior high schools in Norway, BMC Psychiatry source
The Background (page unavailable) says therapist-supported internet-based CBT has larger effect sizes than fully automated, unguided interventions. That supports a narrower comparison, but it does not establish the cited claim that self-help interventions are generally less effective than face-to-face therapies. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites [101] Bennett, 2019, Practitioner review: Unguided and guided self-help interventions for common mental health disorders in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis, J Child Psychol Psychiatry Allied Discip source
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationDuration of quarantine, fear of infection, boredom, frustration, lack of necessary supplies, lack of information, financial loss, and stigma appear to increase the risk of negative psychological outcomes.
“Duration of quarantine, fear of infection, boredom, frustration, lack of necessary supplies, lack of information, financial loss, and stigma appear to increase the risk of negative psychological outcomes.1”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [1] Brooks, 2020, The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence, Lancet source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationA large survey of young adult students in China reported that around one in four are experiencing at least mild anxiety symptoms.
“Furthermore, a large survey of young adult students in China has reported that around one in four are experiencing at least mild anxiety symptoms.84”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [84] Cao, 2020, The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China, Psychiatry Res source
May combine two claims.
FindingcitationDuration of peer loneliness, rather than intensity of peer loneliness, was associated with depression 8 years later (from age 5 to age 13 years); family-related loneliness was not independently associated with subsequent depression.
“Duration of peer loneliness rather than intensity of peer loneliness was associated with depression 8 years later (ie, from age 5 to age 13 years); in contrast, family-related loneliness was not independently associated with subsequent depression.73”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites [73] Qualter, 2010, Childhood loneliness as a predictor of adolescent depressive symptoms: an 8-year longitudinal study, Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry source
May combine two claims.
InterpretationcitationThere may be sex differences, with some research indicating loneliness was more strongly associated with elevated depression symptoms in girls and with elevated social anxiety in boys.
“There may also be sex differences, with some research indicating that loneliness was more strongly associated with elevated depression symptoms in girls and with elevated social anxiety in boys.70 , 71”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked- cites [70] Liu, 2020, Gender differences in the influence of social isolation and loneliness on depressive symptoms in college students: a longitudinal study, Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol source
- cites [71] Mak, 2018, The role of family for youth friendships: examining a social anxiety mechanism, J Youth Adolesc source
The Results and Discussion (page unavailable) report that loneliness predicted increased social anxiety for boys but not girls. They do not report that loneliness was more strongly associated with depressive symptoms in girls; the reported gender difference involving internalizing symptoms instead runs from those symptoms to later loneliness and is stronger in boys. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationMobile applications for mental health have been found to be generally acceptable to children and adolescents, but there is a lack of convincing evidence of effectiveness on intended mental health outcomes, and few mobile health apps have been thoroughly tested.
“Although mobile applications for mental health have been found to be generally acceptable to children and adolescents, there is a lack of convincing evidence of effectiveness on intended mental health outcomes98 and few mobile health apps have been thoroughly tested.97”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 2 sources checked- cites [98] Grist, 2017, Mental health mobile apps for preadolescents and adolescents: a systematic review, J Med Internet Res source
- cites [97] Grist, 2019, Technology delivered interventions for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev source
Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationReviews have tended to conclude that effects are better if there is some therapist input and if parents are involved, especially for younger children.
“Importantly, reviews have tended to conclude that effects are better if there is some therapist input97 , 101 and if parents are involved especially for younger children.96 , 97”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim3 of 3 sources checked- cites [97] Grist, 2019, Technology delivered interventions for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev source
The Results sections on Therapist Support and Parental Involvement report larger effect sizes for therapist-supported and parent-supported interventions, respectively. But the Discussion (Comparison with Previous Work; page not supplied) says evidence for children under 12 is limited and calls for further research on the level of parental support that may benefit them. It does not establish that parental involvement is especially beneficial for younger children. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites [101] Bennett, 2019, Practitioner review: Unguided and guided self-help interventions for common mental health disorders in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis, J Child Psychol Psychiatry Allied Discip source
The Meta-analysis section reports larger effects for guided than unguided self-help, although the difference was not significant when restricted to low-risk-of-bias studies. The Discussion suggests parental involvement may matter, particularly for younger children, but says the review could not test whether it was associated with effect size. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites [96] Pennant, 2015, Computerised therapies for anxiety and depression in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Behav Res Ther source
In “Moderators of effectiveness” (page unavailable), the review says therapist input may be important and parental input may be valuable for children. But its therapist-input subgroup analysis found no significant difference, and it says evidence for computerised parent-focused treatments is limited. The cited review therefore does not establish that either form of input produces better effects. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Findingown dataTwo included studies evaluated interventions.
“Two studies evaluated interventions.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataSocial isolation and loneliness increased the risk of depression, and possibly anxiety, at the time loneliness was measured and between 0.25 and 9 years later.
“Social isolation and loneliness increased the risk of depression, and possibly anxiety at the time at which loneliness was measured and between 0.25 and 9 years later.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataAmong the 63 studies, 61 were observational, 18 were longitudinal, and 43 were cross-sectional studies assessing self-reported loneliness in healthy children and adolescents.
“In all, 61 studies were observational, 18 were longitudinal, and 43 were cross-sectional studies assessing self-reported loneliness in healthy children and adolescents.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Findingown dataOne included study was a retrospective investigation conducted after a pandemic.
“One of these studies was a retrospective investigation after a pandemic.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe search located 4,531 articles, of which 83 articles representing 80 studies met the inclusion criteria.
“We located 4,531 articles (Figure 1 ), of which 83 articles (80 studies) met the inclusion criteria.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataOf the included articles, 63 studies examined how social isolation and loneliness affect mental health in previously healthy children and adolescents, with 51,576 participants and a mean age of 15.3 years.
“Of these, 63 studies reported on the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of previously healthy children and adolescents (n = 51,576; mean age 15.3 years).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataOf the included articles, 18 articles representing 17 studies reported on loneliness in individuals with various health conditions, including mental health problems in 12 studies, physical health problems in one study, and neurodevelopmental conditions in 4 studies.
“Of these, 18 articles (17 studies) reported on the impact of loneliness in individuals with a variety of health conditions, including mental health problems (12 studies), physical health problems (one study) and neurodevelopmental conditions (4 studies).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingnone givenIn the one study examining mental health problems after enforced isolation and quarantine in previous pandemics, children who had experienced enforced isolation or quarantine were five times more likely to require mental health service input and experienced higher levels of posttraumatic stress.
“Furthermore, in the one study that examined mental health problems after enforced isolation and quarantine in previous pandemics, children who had experienced enforced isolation or quarantine were five times more likely to require mental health service input and experienced higher levels of posttraumatic stress.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimThe quote only partly states this claim.
FindingcitationOn the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version, 28% of children who had experienced isolation/quarantine scored above the cut-off for PTSD, compared to 5.8% of those who had not.
“On the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version, 28% of children who had experienced isolation/quarantine scored about the cut-off for PTSD, compared to 5.8% of those who had not experienced isolation/quarantine.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingcitationOne study found a small association between panic and loneliness (r = 0.13).
“One study found a small association between panic and loneliness (r = 0.13).75 , 76”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [75] Vanhalst, 2013, The development of loneliness from mid- to late adolescence: trajectory classes, personality traits, and psychosocial functioning, J Adolesc source
- cites [76] Vanhalst, 2012, The interplay of loneliness and depressive symptoms across adolescence: exploring the role of personality traits, J Youth Adolesc source
May combine two claims.
FindingcitationThe most frequently reported diagnoses in the retrospective study were acute stress disorder (16.7%), adjustment disorder (16.7%), grief (16.7%), and PTSD (6.2%).
“The most frequently reported diagnoses were acute stress disorder (16.7%), adjustment disorder (16.7%), grief (16.7%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (6.2%).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
FindingcitationThe retrospective study included 398 parents of exposed children from the United States, Canada, and Mexico; 20.9% of children experienced social isolation and 3.8% had been quarantined.
“This retrospective study included 398 parents of exposed children from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, of whom 20.9% experienced social isolation and a further 3.8% had been quarantined.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
FindingreasoningNeither intervention specifically addressed mental health problems that had developed in the context of loneliness, so the review could not answer its second question about which interventions are effective for individuals who developed mental health problems as a result of social isolation or loneliness.
“Neither intervention specifically addressed mental health problems that had developed in the context of loneliness; therefore, we are unable to answer our second review question, which was what interventions are effective for individuals who have developed mental health problems as a result of social isolation or loneliness.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
FindingcitationAnother large study of adolescents (n = 541) found a significant association between loneliness and subsequent depression, but this did not hold in a cross-lagged model, suggesting a possible bidirectional relationship.
“There were mixed findings in another large study of adolescents (n = 541), which found a significant association between loneliness and subsequent depression, although this did not hold in a cross-lagged model,69 suggesting a possible bidirectional relationship between the variables.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [69] Lasgaard, 2011, Loneliness, depressive symptomatology, and suicide ideation in adolescence: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, J Abnorm Child Psychol source
May combine two claims.
FindingcitationPositive associations were reported between social isolation/loneliness and suicidal ideation, self-harm, and eating disorder risk behavior.
“Positive associations were also reported between social isolation/loneliness and suicidal ideation,20 , 21 , 34 self-harm,34 and eating disorder risk behavior.34”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites [20] Brage, 1993, Correlates of loneliness among midwestern adolescents, Adolescence
- cites [21] Brage, 1995, Psychological correlates of adolescent depression, J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs source
- cites [34] Lasgaard, 2011, Different sources of loneliness are associated with different forms of psychopathology in adolescence, J Res Personal source
May combine two claims.
FindingcitationThe associations between loneliness/social isolation and depressive symptoms were stronger in older participants and in female participants.
“The associations were stronger in older participants35 and in female participants.47”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [35] Lau, 1999, Facets of loneliness and depression among Chinese children and adolescents, J Soc Psychol source
- cites [47] Singhvi, 2011, Psychological correlates of loneliness among adolescents, Indian J Psychol Sci
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Findingown dataFewer studies (N = 23) examined symptoms of anxiety.
“Fewer studies (N = 23) examined symptoms of anxiety.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
Findingnone givenMore studies have examined the relationship between loneliness and depression than between loneliness and anxiety.
“More studies have examined the relationship between loneliness and depression than between loneliness and anxiety.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Findingnone givenThere is little evidence pertaining to interventions.
“There is little evidence pertaining to interventions.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingnone givenIn the included studies, social isolation was not enforced upon participants, nor was it almost ubiquitous across their peer groups and communities.
“Social isolation was not enforced upon the participants, nor was social isolation almost ubiquitous across their peer groups and across the communities in which they lived.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductcitationA truncated quality assessment was conducted by one author using criteria adapted from the National Institutes of Health.
“A truncated quality assessment was conducted by one author (SR) using criteria adapted from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)14 (Table 1 ).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [14] National Institutes of Health. Study Assessment Tools. 2018. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/study-quality-assessment-tools. Accessed May 22, 2020.
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningChildren and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and most likely anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends.
“Children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and most likely anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: COVID-19 disease containment measures have caused widespread social isolation.
- Rests on an assumption: Children and adolescents are in a prolonged state of physical separation from peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.
- Rests on an assumption: Evidence about non-enforced social isolation and loneliness can inform the likely mental health outcome for children and adolescents subjected to enforced social isolation.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenA random 20% of extracted data was double-entered to ensure accuracy.
“A random 20% of the data was double-entered to ensure accuracy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataThe review checked 20% of all study eligibility results to ensure adherence to the eligibility criteria.
“We checked 20% of all study eligibility results (both included and excluded) to ensure adherence to the eligibility criteria.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe included studies had a high risk of bias, although longitudinal studies had better methodological quality.
“Studies had a high risk of bias, although longitudinal studies were of better methodological quality.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe current social distancing measures enforced on children because of COVID-19 could lead to an increase in mental health problems, as well as possible posttraumatic stress.
“This suggests that the current social distancing measures enforced on children because of COVID-19 could lead to an increase in mental health problems, as well as possible posttraumatic stress.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Current social distancing measures are enforced on children because of COVID-19.
May combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningLongitudinal studies typically assessed and controlled for confounds and could assess the most plausible direction of causality between loneliness/social isolation and mental health.
“Importantly, they typically assessed and controlled for confounds and could assess the most plausible direction of causality between loneliness/social isolation and mental health.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationEarly results from the UK Co-SPACE online survey of more than 1,500 parents suggest high levels of COVID-19-related worries and fears, with younger children aged 4-10 years significantly more worried than older children and adolescents aged 11-16 years.
“In the United Kingdom, early results from the Co-SPACE (COVID-19 Supporting Parents, Adolescents and Children in Epidemics) online survey of more than 1,500 parents suggest high levels of COVID-19−related worries and fears, with younger children (aged 4−10 years) significantly more worried than older children and adolescents (aged 11−16 years).85 , 86”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [85]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites [86] Weale
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningYoung people's propensity to experience loneliness may make them particularly vulnerable to loneliness in the COVID-19 context, which may further exacerbate the mental health impacts of disease containment measures.
“This propensity to experience loneliness may make young people particularly vulnerable to loneliness in the COVID-19 context, which, based on our findings, may further exacerbate the mental health impacts of the disease containment measures.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningThe studies were mainly observational and did not consistently control for potential confounders.
“Furthermore, the studies were mainly observational and did not consistently control for potential confounders.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningMost studies were cross-sectional, so the direction of the association cannot be inferred.
“Most studies were cross-sectional, and therefore the direction of the association cannot be inferred.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataFew studies used independent measures of mental health or social isolation/loneliness, increasing the risk of bias.
“Few studies used independent (ie, not self-report) measures of mental health or social isolation/loneliness, thereby increasing the risk of bias.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenThe postpandemic study has limitations: the sample was self-selecting, and the demographics of the children and time elapsed since the experience were not reported.
“However, the postpandemic study has several limitations in that the sample was self-selecting, and the demographics of the children and the time elapsed since the experience were not reported.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
InterpretationcitationBecause loneliness involves social comparison, the shared experience of social isolation imposed by disease containment measures may mitigate the negative effects.
“As loneliness involves social comparison,91 it is possible that the shared experience of social isolation imposed by disease containment measures may mitigate the negative effects.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [91] Wiseman, 2008, On failed intersubjectivity: recollections of loneliness experiences in offspring of Holocaust survivors, Am J Orthopsychiatry source
May combine two claims.
InterpretationcitationThe results are consistent with one study investigating mental health problems in children after pandemics, improving confidence in the results.
“The results are also consistent with one study investigating mental health problems in children60 after pandemics, improving our confidence in the results.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [60] Sprang, 2013, Posttraumatic stress disorder in parents and youth after health-related disasters, Disaster Med Public Health Prep source
May combine two claims.
Study design and conductcitationIn line with Cochrane rapid review guidance, gray literature and trial registry databases were not searched, hand-search strategies were not used, and only English-language publications were included, meaning some relevant studies may have been missed.
“In line with Cochrane rapid review guidance,10 gray literature, and trial registry databases were not searched, hand-search strategies were not used, and only English-language publications were included, meaning that some relevant studies may have been missed.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [10] Garritty
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningThe results were consistent across all study methodology for depression, but less so for anxiety, suggesting that these results are reliable.
“The results were consistent across all study methodology for depression (but less so for anxiety), suggesting that these results are reliable.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenDuring the rapid data extraction phase, there was no scope to contact authors to request missing information.
“During the rapid data extraction phase, there was no scope to contact authors to request any missing information.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
COVID-19 disease containment measures have caused widespread social isolation.
“Disease containment of COVID-19 has necessitated widespread social isolation.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Children and adolescents are in a prolonged state of physical separation from peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.
“Children and adolescents are experiencing a prolonged state of physical isolation from their peers, teachers, extended families, and community networks.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The current COVID-19 context involves an uncertain but dangerous threat to health.
“The studies were also not in the context of an uncertain but dangerous threat to health.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Current social distancing measures are enforced on children because of COVID-19.
“the current social distancing measures enforced on children because of COVID-19”
The paper relies on this without support.
Evidence about non-enforced social isolation and loneliness can inform the likely mental health outcome for children and adolescents subjected to enforced social isolation.
“However, we used all available evidence on social isolation and loneliness to inform the likely outcome for healthy children and adolescents subjected to social isolation.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Experts predict a surge in young people seeking clinical care for behavioral health concerns during the peri- and post-pandemic periods.
“Experts predict a surging number of young people-seeking clinical care for various behavioral health concerns during the peri- and post-pandemic period (Fegert et al., 2020; Golberstein et al., 2020; Loades et al., 2020; Marques de Miranda et al., 2020; Sanderson et al., 2020; Simon et al., 2020; Abbott, 2021).”
From Intolerance of Uncertainty and Health-Related Anxiety in Youth amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Understanding and Weathering the Continuing Storm (2022) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
The paper's discussion of policy and practice says COVID-19 containment-related loneliness could lead to subsequent mental health problems in young people. Its Results section also reports that, after earlier infectious-disease outbreaks, some children affected by containment measures needed mental health services. Neither passage predicts a surge in young people seeking clinical care during or after COVID-19. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredLoneliness and social isolation arising from disease containment measures in previous outbreaks (SARS and MERS) were associated with significant increases in risk of mental illness in adolescents and poor mental health up to nine years later.
“Existing research shows that the loneliness and social isolation arising from disease containment measures in previous outbreaks (e.g., severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] and Middle East respiratory syndrome) were associated with significant increases in risk of mental illness in adolescents and poor mental health up to nine years later (Brooks et al., 2020; Cénat et al., 2020; Loades et al.”
From Adolescents' longitudinal trajectories of mental health and loneliness: The impact of COVID‐19 school closures (2022) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
The Results section, “Impact of Social Isolation in an Infectious Disease Context” (page unavailable), reports worse postpandemic mental-health outcomes among children isolated or quarantined during outbreaks that included SARS, but does not identify MERS. The Discussion (page unavailable) separately reports an association between loneliness and mental-health problems up to nine years later across studies of young people; it does not establish that nine-year outcome specifically for outbreak-related containment measures or adolescents. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn the context of disease containment measures, any associated loneliness and social isolation significantly increases risk of mental illness in adolescents.
“In the context of disease containment measures, any associated loneliness and social isolation significantly increases risk of mental illness in adolescents (see Loades et al., 2020).”
From Adolescents' longitudinal trajectories of mental health and loneliness: The impact of COVID‐19 school closures (2022) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
The Discussion reports a clear association between loneliness and later mental health problems in children and adolescents, and the Policy and Practice section says loneliness arising from COVID-19 containment measures could be associated with subsequent problems. The claim overstates that evidence as a definite increase in risk: the Discussion cautions that the studies of social isolation did not mirror isolation imposed by current containment measures, limiting extrapolation to that context. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredFindings support the assumption that pre-pandemic loneliness increased the risk of poor mental health outcomes, but not vice versa.
“Findings support the assumption that pre-pandemic loneliness increased the risk of poor mental health outcomes, but not vice versa (Houghton et al., 2022; Loades et al., 2020).”
From Adolescent Loneliness and Negative Affect during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Extraversion and Neuroticism (2023) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
The Results section reports that loneliness was associated with later depression in 12 of 15 longitudinal studies, supporting the claim's forward association, though not establishing causation. It also says one study suggested a possible bidirectional relationship, so the claim that the reverse does not occur is not supported. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIsolation through confinement and quarantine in the context of COVID-19 has been associated with negative psychological outcomes including stress, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders.
“Isolation through confinement and quarantine in the context of COVID-19 have been associated with negative psychological outcomes including stress, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (21, 22).”
From Social Isolation, Loneliness and Health: A Descriptive Study of the Experiences of Migrant Mothers With Young Children (0–5 Years Old) at La Maison Bleue (2022) · cites this paper as [22]
The Results section, “Impact of Social Isolation in an Infectious Disease Context” (page not provided), reports acute stress disorder and PTSD among children exposed to isolation or quarantine during earlier infectious-disease outbreaks. The Discussion links loneliness with depression, but cautions that those findings cannot be directly extrapolated to COVID-19 confinement; the review does not establish the claimed set of outcomes for COVID-19 quarantine. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Isolation had a major impact on the mental health of the population in general and medical students in particular.
“Specifically, isolation had a major impact on the mental health of the population in general [49] and medical students in particular [50]”
From Effectiveness of online mindfulness interventions on medical students’ mental health: a systematic review (2021) · cites this paper as [49]
The Abstract Results and Discussion report an association between isolation or loneliness and mental health problems in children, adolescents, and some young adults. They do not establish the claimed impact for the general population or for medical students specifically. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredEvidence demonstrates the negative psychological impact of continued isolation for young people in particular since their life stage is more intensely shaped by their social environment.
“Certainly, evidence demonstrates the negative psychological impact of continued isolation for young people in particular since their life stage is more intensely shaped by their social environment (i.e. exposure to peers and learning environment) [26–28].”
From Facilitators and barriers to social distancing for young people during the COVID-19 pandemic (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
The Discussion reports a clear association between loneliness and mental health problems in young people and says longer loneliness appears to predict later problems. It suggests that young people’s vulnerability may reflect the importance of peers for identity and support at this developmental stage. The claim states that explanation as certain and adds the learning environment as a reason, which these passages do not establish. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredEarlier research spanning from 1946 until 2020 showed an increased risk of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents due to loneliness and isolation.
“Earlier research spanning from 1946 until 2020 showed an increased risk of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents due to loneliness and isolation [17].”
Many barriers faced by at-risk pupils, such as poverty, social exclusion and additional support needs, long predate the covid-19 pandemic.
“many barriers faced by at-risk pupils, such as poverty, social exclusion and additional support needs long predate it.”
From Beyond the Classroom: Strengthening Pupil Engagement, Attendance and Belonging through Alternative Education and Community Partnerships (2025) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
The Results and Discussion address loneliness and its mental-health effects in children and adolescents, including studies conducted before COVID-19. Our copy does not address whether poverty, social exclusion, and additional support needs were longstanding barriers for at-risk pupils (searched for those barriers and pre-pandemic disadvantage). (LLM, conf=0.72)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSystemic challenges like long work hours, unaffordable child care, and loss of third spaces reduce access to rich in-person social connections for families and teens.
“Systemic challenges such as long work hours, lack of affordable child care, and loss of third spaces make it harder for families and teens to access rich, in-person social connections.38,191”
From Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Technical Report (2026) · cites this paper as [191]
The Discussion and Implications for Policy and Practice sections discuss how COVID-19 distancing curtailed young people’s social contact, but they do not address long work hours, unaffordable child care, or the loss of third spaces as barriers for families and teens. Searches for those factors and related terms found no passage supporting the attributed claim; page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe review answers a more expansive question than other similar reviews.
“Some strengths of our review are it answers a more expansive question (as opposed to other similar reviews [62–65]), it is focused on COVID-19, and covers a large date range, which makes our review one of the first systematic reviews to have these qualities.”
From Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 among Children and College Students: A Systematic Review (2023) · cites this paper as [62]
Loades et al. and Hards et al. found significant associations between loneliness and mental health difficulties including anxiety and depression symptoms, with most studies cross-sectional.
“In both reviews, significant associations were found between loneliness and mental health difficulties including anxiety and depression symptoms, with most studies being cross-sectional in nature.”
From Loneliness and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
Only some systematic reviews and meta-analyses included the prevalence of child and adolescent loneliness, and even fewer focused on loneliness with the well-being of children and adolescents.
“only some of these systematic reviews and meta-analyses included the prevalence of child and adolescent loneliness (e.g., [15]) and even fewer have focused on loneliness with the well-being of children and adolescents (e.g., [16]).”
From Loneliness and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
Recent systematic reviews on pre-pandemic studies indicate significant associations between loneliness and indicators of well-being such as anxiety and depression symptoms, in both clinical and non-clinical samples.
“Recent systematic reviews on pre-pandemic studies indicate significant associations between loneliness and indicators of well-being such as anxiety and depression symptoms, in both clinical [27] and non-clinical [16] samples.”
From Loneliness and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
Our search terms included loneliness and indicators of social isolation, belonging, and mattering to stay consistent with some previous systematic reviews, despite these constructs being distinct.
“First, our search terms included loneliness and indicators of social isolation, belonging, and mattering to stay consistent with some previous systematic reviews, despite these constructs being distinct (e.g., [16,27]).”
From Loneliness and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review (2023) · cites this paper as [16]
Loneliness has been associated, both in the short and long term, with increased risk of physical ill-health, in addition to higher levels of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.
“This painful emotion has been associated, both in the short and long term, with increased risk of physical ill-health, in addition to higher levels of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents [21,23].”
From Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [23]
With social distancing measures and movement restrictions come serious risks of loneliness.
“With social distancing measures and movement restrictions come serious risks of loneliness.”
From Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review (2020) · cites this paper as [23]
School closures may be associated with mental health problems among students owing to a prolonged state of physical isolation from peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.
“school closures may be associated with mental health problems among students owing to a prolonged state of physical isolation from peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks.3,4”
From Assessment of Mental Health of Chinese Primary School Students Before and After School Closing and Opening During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) · cites this paper as [3]
The preliminary findings were consistent with a recent systematic review suggesting an association between enforced social isolation imposed by disease containment measures and future mental health problems among children and adolescents.
“The preliminary findings were consistent with a recent systematic review3 suggesting the association between enforced social isolation imposed by disease containment measures with future mental health problems among children and adolescents.”
From Assessment of Mental Health of Chinese Primary School Students Before and After School Closing and Opening During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) · cites this paper as [3]
The effects of isolation and loneliness for young people are likely to persist for some time, even after social distancing restrictions have lifted.
“The effects of isolation and loneliness for young people are likely to persist for some time, even after social distancing restrictions have lifted.42”
Social isolation and loneliness are impacting young people.
“Research shows that social isolation and loneliness are impacting young people [8].”
From A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
The use of social distancing and stay-at-home orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is negatively affecting the mental health of young people.
“The research found that the use of social distancing and stay-at-home orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is negatively affecting the mental health of young people as has been seen elsewhere [8].”
From A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland (2021) · cites this paper as [8]
The risk of developing depression increases threefold for adolescents experiencing social isolation.
“The risk of developing depression increases threefold for adolescents experiencing social isolation”
From “I Hate This”: A Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents' Self-Reported Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021) · cites this paper as [16]
Experiencing loneliness during this period is associated with poor mental health up to nine years later.
“experiencing loneliness during this period is associated with poor mental health up to nine years later [16].”
From “I Hate This”: A Qualitative Analysis of Adolescents' Self-Reported Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021) · cites this paper as [16]
Loneliness in adolescents is linked to adverse outcomes, including worse physical and mental health.
“Loneliness is associated with a range of adverse outcomes in adolescents including poor physical and mental health (Eccles et al., 2020; Loades et al., 2020).”
From Loneliness, social relationships, and mental health in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
The association between mental health problems and loneliness in adolescents is well established in the literature, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.
“The association between mental health problems and loneliness in adolescents, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, is well established in the literature (Loades et al., 2020).”
From Loneliness, social relationships, and mental health in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
Prior studies that found loneliness associated with later anxiety and depression tended to have considerably longer follow-up periods.
“Prior studies which have found loneliness to be associated with subsequent anxiety and depression have tended to have considerably longer follow-up periods (Loades et al., 2020).”
From Loneliness, social relationships, and mental health in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021) · cites this paper as Loades et al., 2020
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“The duration of loneliness was more strongly associated with anxiety than intensity of loneliness.(25,41) Social anxiety was moderately to strongly associated with loneliness/social isolation (0.”
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“13).(75,76) In the single study that reported odds ratios, being lonely was associated with increased odds of being anxious by 1.”
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General health mediates the relationship between loneliness, life satisfaction and depression
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“Self-help interventions including bibliotherapy(95) and computerized therapy(96) have shown a moderate positive effect size when compared to control groups although they are generally less effective than face to face therapies.(97) Importantly, reviews have tended to conclude that effects are better if there is some t…”
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“Eighteen studies followed participants over time (Table 3).(61,62,64,65,67-72,74-77,79,80) Several of these were conducted in childhood (N 1⁄4 6), or adolescence (N 1⁄4 8), although three were in university students.”
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“There may also be sex differences, with some research indicating that loneliness was more strongly associated with elevated depression symptoms in girls and with elevated social anxiety in boys.(70,71) The length of loneliness appears to be a predictor of future mental health problems.”
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“One large study of adolescents (n 1⁄4 3,088) found that loneliness was not associated with depression 1 year later.(63) There were mixed findings in another large study of adolescents (n 1⁄4 541), which found a significant association between loneliness and subsequent depression, although this did not hold in a cross-…”
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“Two studies found that loneliness in childhood at age 5 years was not associated with depression several years later,(73,74) although other studies that assessed loneliness during childhood found evidence that it is associated with subsequent depression.(61,64) One large study of adolescents (n 1⁄4 3,088) found that l…”
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“Eighteen studies followed participants over time (Table 3).(61,62,64,65,67-72,74-77,79,80) Several of these were conducted in childhood (N 1⁄4 6), or adolescence (N 1⁄4 8), although three were in university students.”
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Facets of Loneliness and Depression Among Chinese Children and Adolescents
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Loneliness and Psychological Distress
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Mak, H. W., Fosco, G. M., & Feinberg, M. E. (2018) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-017-0738-9 · Cited by 58 · cited 3× · see citing works
“There may also be sex differences, with some research indicating that loneliness was more strongly associated with elevated depression symptoms in girls and with elevated social anxiety in boys.(70,71) The length of loneliness appears to be a predictor of future mental health problems.”
ResultBrief Behavioural Activation (Brief BA) for Adolescent Depression: A Pilot Study
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“49 SD).(62) Duration of peer loneliness rather than intensity of peer loneliness was associated with depression 8 years later (ie, from age 5 to age 13 years); in contrast, family-related loneliness was not independently associated with subsequent depression.”
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Mental Health Variables and Positive Health Practices in Early Adolescents
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“Computerized Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) based self-help program, BRAVE-TA, was shown to be effective for anxiety following the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand.”
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“12 of the 15 studies found that loneliness is associated with depression and explained a significant amount of the variance in severity of depression symptoms several months to several years later.(55,57-63,71,73,74) Two studies found that loneliness in childhood at age 5 was not associated with depression several yea…”
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Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021) · JAMA Pediatrics · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482 · Cited by 2,805 · see citing works
“28 The following moderators were extracted: (1) study quality (see the next subsection); (2) participant age (continuously as a mean); (3) sex (% female in a sample); (4) geographical region (eg, East Asia, Europe, North America), (5) informant (child, parent), (6) month in 2020 when data were collected (range, 1-12).”
MethodMagson, N. R., Freeman, J. Y. A., Rapee, R. M., Richardson, C. E., Oar, E. L., & Fardouly, J. (2021) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-020-01332-9 · Cited by 1,436 · see citing works
“…has been no longitudinal research examining how the pandemic has impacted adolescents’ mental health despite decades of research demonstrating the potential lifelong risks associated with prolonged interpersonal stress and social isolation during the adolescent years (e.g., Loades et al. 2020).”
BackgroundThe social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations
Kirkbride, J. B., Anglin, D. M., Colman, I., Dykxhoorn, J. L., Jones, P. B., Patalay, P., Pitman, A., Soneson, E., Steare, T., Wright, T., et al. (2024) · World Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/wps.21160 · Cited by 1,410 · see citing works
“In children, whose men tal health and wellbeing were a particular concern in periods of social restriction during the COVID19 pandemic, both loneli ness and social isolation are also associated with depression onset 230 .”
BackgroundReview: Mental health impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on children and youth – a systematic review
Samji, H., Wu, J., Ladak, A., Vossen, C., Stewart, E., Dove, N., Long, D., & Snell, G. (2022) · Child and Adolescent Mental Health · doi:10.1111/camh.12501 · Cited by 953 · see citing works
Browning, M. H. E. M., Larson, L. R., Sharaievska, I., Rigolon, A., McAnirlin, O., Mullenbach, L., Cloutier, S., Vu, T. M., Thomsen, J., Reigner, N., et al. (2021) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0245327 · Cited by 888 · see citing works
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Immediate Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Quarantine in Youth From Italy and Spain
Orgilés, M., Morales, A., Delvecchio, E., Mazzeschi, C., & Espada, J. P. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579038 · Cited by 791 · see citing works
“Also, programs focused on providing children with psychosocial skills could help them cope with the COVID-19 situation (Orgilés et al., 2020).”
BackgroundHawes, M. T., Szenczy, A. K., Klein, D. N., Hajcak, G., & Nelson, B. D. (2021) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291720005358 · Cited by 788 · see citing works
Groarke, J. M., Berry, E., Graham-Wisener, L., McKenna-Plumley, P. E., McGlinchey, E., & Armour, C. (2020) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0239698 · Cited by 727 · see citing works
Nearchou, F., Flinn, C., Niland, R., Subramaniam, S. S., & Hennessy, E. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17228479 · Cited by 577 · see citing works
“A rapid systematic review assessed the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of children and adolescents in the context of COVID-19 and concluded that there would be higher levels of depression and anxiety, both during and after imposed isolation periods come to an end [23].”
BackgroundEmotional, Behavioral, and Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Pedrosa, A. L., Bitencourt, L., Fróes, A. C. F., Cazumbá, M. L. B., Campos, R. G. B., de Brito, S. B. C. S., & Silva, A. C. S. E. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.566212 · Cited by 595 · see citing works
OECD (2021) · OECD eBooks · doi:10.1787/2965f4fe-en · Cited by 494 · see citing works
Worldwide increases in adolescent loneliness
Twenge, J. M., Haidt, J., Blake, A. B., McAllister, C., Lemon, H., & Le Roy, A. (2021) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.06.006 · Cited by 426 · see citing works
The effects of social isolation stress and discrimination on mental health
Brandt, L., Liu, S., Heim, C. C., & Heinz, A. (2022) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-022-02178-4 · Cited by 480 · see citing works
“Children and adolescents may also experience increased rates of depression and anxiety during and after containment-related isolation based on a recent rapid systematic review (including studies with high risk of bias) [136].”
BackgroundLoneliness and the onset of new mental health problems in the general population
Mann, F., Wang, J., Pearce, E., Ma, R., Schlief, M., Lloyd‐Evans, B., Ikhtabi, S., & Johnson, S. (2022) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02261-7 · Cited by 426 · see citing works
“A recent rapid review in children, for example suggested duration of loneliness, may be more important than intensity [72].”
BackgroundOnset and frequency of depression in post-COVID-19 syndrome: A systematic review
Renaud‐Charest, O., Lui, L. M. W., Eskander, S., Ceban, F., Ho, R., Vincenzo, J. D. D., Rosenblat, J. D., Lee, Y. L., Subramaniapillai, M., & McIntyre, R. S. (2021) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.054 · Cited by 377 · see citing works
“Isolation due to social distancing restrictions has prevented social networking and physical participation in family and community activities increasing rates of loneliness, which has a negative effect on mental health (Loades et al., 2020; Sepúlveda-Loyola et al., 2020).”
Kovacs, V. A., Starc, G., Brandes, M., Kaj, M., Blagus, R., Leskošek, B., Suesse, T., Dinya, E., Guinhouya, B. C., Zito, V., et al. (2021) · European Journal of Sport Science · doi:10.1080/17461391.2021.1897166 · Cited by 304 · see citing works
A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland
O’Sullivan, K., Clark, S., McGrane, A., Rock, N., Burke, L., Boyle, N., Joksimovic, N., & Marshall, K. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18031062 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
“Research has shown that social isolation and loneliness are impacting young people [8], and there have been increases in adolescent anxiety [9,10], due in some part to pandemic related restrictions [11,12].”
BackgroundThorell, L. B., Skoglund, C. B., de la Peña, A. G., Baeyens, D., Fuermaier, A. B. M., Groom, M. J., Mammarella, I. C., der Oord, S. V., van den Hoofdakker, B. J., Luman, M., et al. (2021) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01706-1 · Cited by 281 · see citing works
“Our results are in line with previous commentaries [2, 3] as well as some smaller empirical studies [4, 5] emphasizing that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have major effects on daily life functioning for both children and adults.”
BackgroundResultVogel, M., Geserick, M., Gausche, R., Beger, C., Poulain, T., Meigen, C., Körner, A., Keller, E., Kieß, W., & Pfäffle, R. W. (2021) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/s41366-021-00968-2 · Cited by 280 · see citing works
Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 among Children and College Students: A Systematic Review
Elharake, J. A., Akbar, F., Malik, A. A., Gilliam, W., & Omer, S. B. (2023) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-021-01297-1 · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Long COVID symptoms and duration in SARS-CoV-2 positive children — a nationwide cohort study
Borch, L., Holm, M., Knudsen, M., Ellermann‐Eriksen, S., & Hagstrøm, S. (2022) · European Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04345-z · Cited by 275 · see citing works
“Reports have raised concern on the negative impact of these social implications on children’s mental health [29].”
BackgroundHickin, N., Käll, A., Shafran, R., Sutcliffe, S., Manzotti, G., & Langan, D. (2021) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102066 · Cited by 273 · see citing works
Self-citationLongitudinal increases in childhood depression symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown
Bignardi, G., Dalmaijer, E. S., Anwyl-Irvine, A. L., Smith, T. A., Šiugždaitė, R., Uh, S., & Astle, D. E. (2020) · Archives of Disease in Childhood · doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-320372 · Cited by 252 · see citing works
Luijten, M. A. J., van Muilekom, M. M., Teela, L., Polderman, T. J. C., Terwee, C. B., Zijlmans, J., Klaufus, L. H., Popma, A., Oostrom, K. J., van Oers, H. A., et al. (2021) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1007/s11136-021-02861-x · Cited by 245 · see citing works
“Two reviews reflect on the possible effects of social isolation, and they have painted an image of loneliness, anxiety, and depression [11, 12].”
BackgroundThe impact of COVID-19 on the lives and mental health of Australian adolescents
Li, S. H., Beames, J. R., Newby, J. M., Maston, K., Christensen, H., & Werner-Seidler, A. (2022) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01790-x · Cited by 242 · see citing works
“Given a lack of social connection has negative consequences on social and cognitive development [9], and loneliness increases the risk of the development of depression and other disorders [12], mental health prevention and intervention efforts need to focus on improving social connection, particularly in areas that ha…”
BackgroundJanssen, L. H. C., Kullberg, M. J., Verkuil, B., van Zwieten, N., Wever, M. C. M., van Houtum, L. A. E. M., Wentholt, W. G. M., & Elzinga, B. M. (2020) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0240962 · Cited by 229 · see citing works
The psychiatric sequelae of the COVID‐19 pandemic in adolescents, adults, and health care workers
Murata, S., Rezeppa, T. L., Thoma, B. C., Marengo, L., Krancevich, K., Chiyka, E. A., Hayes, B., Goodfriend, E., Deal, M., Zhong, Y., et al. (2020) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1002/da.23120 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
“The duration of loneliness, as opposed to intensity, was positively cor- related with anxiety symptoms in adolescents (Loades et al., 2020).”
BackgroundEgan, S., Pope, J., Moloney, M., Hoyne, C., & BEATTY, C. J. P. (2021) · Early Childhood Education Journal · doi:10.1007/s10643-021-01193-2 · Cited by 223 · see citing works
“1 3 restrictions are likely to have negative psychological effects on children (Loades et al., 2020), adolescents (Orben et al.”
BackgroundLabrague, L. J., De los Santos, J. A. A., & Falguera, C. C. (2021) · Perspectives in Psychiatric Care · doi:10.1111/ppc.12721 · Cited by 276 · see citing works
Loneliness, social relationships, and mental health in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic
Cooper, K., Hards, E., Moltrecht, B., Reynolds, S., Shum, A., McElroy, E., & Loades, M. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.016 · Cited by 213 · see citing works
“The association between mental health problems and loneliness in adolescents, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, is well established in the literature (Loades et al., 2020).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialSelf-citationAssessing mandatory stay‐at‐home and business closure effects on the spread of COVID‐19
Bendavid, E., Oh, C., Bhattacharya, J., & Ioannidis, J. P. A. (2021) · European Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1111/eci.13484 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Zhang, L., Zhang, D., Fang, J., Wan, Y., Tao, F., & Sun, Y. (2020) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.21482 · Cited by 202 · see citing works
COVID-19 and Adolescent Depression and Suicide Risk Screening Outcomes
Mayne, S. L., Hannan, C., Davis, M., Young, J. F., Kelly, M. K., Powell, M., Dalembert, G., McPeak, K. E., Jenssen, B. P., & Fiks, A. G. (2021) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2021-051507 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
“Social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased risk of depression in children and adolescents, 28 closures and stricter social distancing policies in urban areas may have disproportionately increased isolation among non-Hispanic Black adolescents.”
Ettman, C. K., Cohen, G. H., Abdalla, S. M., Sampson, L., Trinquart, L., Castrucci, B. C., Bork, R. H., Clark, M. A., Wilson, I. B., Vivier, P. M., et al. (2021) · The Lancet Regional Health - Americas · doi:10.1016/j.lana.2021.100091 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
“[6] Loades ME , Chatburn E , Higson-Sweeney N , Reynolds S , Shafran R , Brigden A , et al.”
Sommerlad, A., Marston, L., Huntley, J. D., Livingston, G., Lewis, G., Steptoe, A., & Fancourt, D. E. (2021) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291721000039 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
“These associations are found throughout the life-course including in older people (Santini et al., 2015) and children and adolescents (Loades et al., 2020).”
Chiesa, V., Antony, G., Wismar, M., & Rechel, B. (2021) · Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdab102 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Masi, A., Diaz, A. M., Tully, L. A., Azim, S. I., Woolfenden, S. R., Efron, D., & Eapen, V. (2021) · Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health · doi:10.1111/jpc.15285 · Cited by 199 · see citing works
COVID‑19 and its consequences on mental health (Review)
Tsamakis, K., Tsiptsios, D., Ouranidis, A., Mueller, C., Schizas, D., Terniotis, C., Nikolakakis, N., Tyros, G., Kympouropoulos, S. P., Lazaris, A. C., et al. (2021) · Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine · doi:10.3892/etm.2021.9675 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
“This is of particular relevance in the COVID‐19 context, as politicians in different countries consider the length of time that schools should remain closed and the implementation of social distancing within schools (27).”
BackgroundChen, X., Qi, H., Liu, R., Feng, Y., Li, W., Xiang, M., Cheung, T. C. C., Jackson, T., Wang, G., & Xiang, Y. (2021) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01271-4 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
Scott, S. R., Rivera, K. M., Rushing, E., Manczak, E. M., Rozek, C. S., & Doom, J. R. (2021) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.010 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Tandon, P. S., Zhou, C., Johnson, A. M., Schoenfelder, E. N., & Kroshus, E. (2021) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27892 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, anxiety, and depression
Kupcová, I., Danišovič, Ľ., Klein, M., & Harsányi, Š. (2023) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01130-5 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
“The loneliness associated with enforced social distancing leads to an increase in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress in children in adolescents, with possible long-term sequelae [39].”
BackgroundCovid-19 Lockdown Cost/Benefits: A Critical Assessment of the Literature
Allen, D. W. (2021) · International Journal of the Economics of Business · doi:10.1080/13571516.2021.1976051 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
“Loades et al. (2020) survey 80 studies related to isolation and children and conclude ‘… increased the risk of depression, and possibly anxiety at the time at which loneliness was measured…’.”
BackgroundHe, Y., Yang, L., Zhu, X., Wu, B., Zhang, S., Qian, C., & Tian, T. (2022) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/40719 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
“Limited accessibility and acceptability were more obvious with the rising risk of mental health problems [5,6] led by quarantine and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic [7], especially among adolescents [8].”
Mental Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents
Meade, J. A. (2021) · Pediatric Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2021.05.003 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
“Research has shown that social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of depression and possibly anxiety, with duration of loneliness having the biggest impact on child mental health.(28) The COVID-19 studies reviewed here did indeed link social isolation to increased depression and anxiety, including children who…”
BackgroundLarsen, L., Helland, M. S., & Holt, T. (2021) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01758-x · Cited by 184 · see citing works
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Life Conditions during COVID-19 Lockdown and Mental Health in Spanish Adolescents
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“Children experienced an abrupt disruption to their normal life and prolonged isolation from their peers and loved ones, which may have led to an increase in mental health problems [1].”
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“The pandemic’s emotional and social impact was profound, with increased stress, anxiety, and isolation among students, particularly affecting those from marginalized backgrounds [7,8].”
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Age-related effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of children and adolescents
Schmidt, S. J., Barblan, L. P., Lory, I., & Landolt, M. A. (2021) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2021.1901407 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
“Therefore, young people might be particularly vulnerable to the effects caused by physical distancing measures and have shown high levels of loneliness, depression and anxiety during and after enforced social isolation (Loades et al., 2020; Sharma, Miguel, & Sharma, 2020).”
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The impact of COVID-19 on youth mental health: A mixed methods survey
Bell, I. H., Nicholas, J., Broomhall, A., Bailey, E., Bendall, S., Boland, A. K., Robinson, J., Adams, S., McGorry, P. D., & Thompson, A. D. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115082 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
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“Age-appropriate interventions include virtual support groups, online mental health resources, and resilience-building activities [61].”
BackgroundPrevalence of anxiety in college and university students: An umbrella review
Tan, G. X. D., Soh, X. C., Hartanto, A., Goh, A. Y. H., & Majeed, N. M. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100658 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
COVID-19 Pandemic and Infant Neurodevelopmental Impairment
Hessami, K., Norooznezhad, A. H., Monteiro, S. A., Barrozo, E. R., Abdolmaleki, A. S., Arian, S. E., Zargarzadeh, N., Shekerdemian, L. S., Aagaard, K. M., & Shamshirsaz, A. A. (2022) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.38941 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
Using Peer Support to Strengthen Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review
Suresh, R., Alam, A., & Karkossa, Z. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714181 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Ludwig‐Walz, H., Dannheim, I., Pfadenhauer, L. M., Fegert, J. M., & Bujard, M. (2022) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health · doi:10.1186/s13034-022-00546-y · Cited by 140 · see citing works
“Previously, children and adolescents have been found to be particularly vulnerable to the unintended effects of quarantine and isolation, especially with regards to depression symptoms [48, 49], which can last up to nine years after exposure [49].”
BackgroundPsychological effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on children and families in the UK
Morgül, E., Kallitsoglou, A., & Essau, C. A. (2020) · Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes · doi:10.21134/rpcna.2020.mon.2049 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
“A recent rapid systematic review showed that COVID-19 related loneliness in children was associated with subsequent mental health problems including depression (Loades et al., 2020).”
BackgroundYe, J. (2020) · JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting · doi:10.2196/19867 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Farrell, A. H., Vitoroulis, I., Eriksson, M., & Vaillancourt, T. (2023) · Children · doi:10.3390/children10020279 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
“However, only some of these systematic reviews and meta-analyses included the prevalence of child and adolescent loneliness (e.g., [15]) and even fewer have focused on loneliness with the well-being of children and adolescents (e.g., [16]).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialIdris, F. I., Zulkipli, I. N., Mumin, K. H. A., Ahmad, S. R., Mitha, S., Rahman, H. A., Rajabalaya, R., David, S. R. N., & Naing, L. (2021) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-021-02968-2 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
“As clinical placements had to be cancelled, this could exacerbate students’ loneliness, in addition to setting apart from their usual social contacts in schools or colleges [23].”
BackgroundAlizadeh, H., Sharifi, A., Damanbagh, S., Nazarnia, H., & Nazarnia, M. (2023) · Natural Hazards · doi:10.1007/s11069-023-05959-2 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
COVID-19 and Education Disruption in Ontario: Emerging Evidence on Impacts
Gallagher‐Mackay, K., Srivastava, P., Underwood, K., Dhuey, E., McCready, L. T., Born, K. B., Maltsev, A., Perkhun, A., Steiner, R., Barrett, K. A., et al. (2021) · doi:10.47326/ocsat.2021.02.34.1.0 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
“”(22) School closures may trigger social isolation and loneliness for children and youth, which is associated with emerging mental health challenges.(25) Data from People for Education show the vast majority of schools offered no sports, clubs and co-curricular activities at elementary and secondary levels in 2020-21,…”
BackgroundHaddad, J. M., Macenski, C., Mosier-Mills, A., Hibara, A., Kester, K., Schneider, M., Conrad, R. C., & Liu, C. H. (2021) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-021-01288-y · Cited by 121 · see citing works
“They also found that mindfulness was a protective factor that attenuated the adverse effect of social media on mental 70 Page 4 of 12 Current Psychiatry Reports (2021) 23: 70”
BackgroundInfluentialImpact of COVID-19 on adolescents’ mental health: a systematic review
Octavius, G. S., Silviani, F. R., Lesmandjaja, A., Angelina, A., & Juliansen, A. (2020) · Middle East Current Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s43045-020-00075-4 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
McKinlay, A. R., May, T., Dawes, J., Fancourt, D., & Burton, A. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053676 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
A synthesis of evidence for policy from behavioural science during COVID-19
Ruggeri, K., Stock, F., Haslam, S. A., Capraro, V., Boggio, P. S., Ellemers, N., Cichocka, A. K., Douglas, K. M., Rand, D. G., van der Linden, S., et al. (2023) · Nature · doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06840-9 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Social isolation and the brain: effects and mechanisms
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“For example, school closures during COVID-19 lockdowns have been associated with mental health problems among students due to a prolonged state of physical isolation from their peers, teachers, extended family, and community networks [52, 53].”
BackgroundBabore, A., Trumello, C., Lombardi, L., Candelori, C., Chirumbolo, A., Cattelino, E., Baiocco, R., Bramanti, S. M., Viceconti, M. L., Pignataro, S., et al. (2021) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-021-01230-6 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Coping and Mental Health in Early Adolescence during COVID-19
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Wang, M.-T., Toro, J. D., Scanlon, C. L., Schall, J. D., Zhang, A. L., Belmont, A. M., Voltin, S. E., & Plevniak, K. A. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.06.082 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
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“Some specified eligibility criteria for study design, for example relating to the minimum sample size [20, 21], assessment of mental health problems [19, 22] or quality of reporting and study conduct [18].”
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Emotional and Behavioral Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Adolescents
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The impact of COVID-19 on child and adolescent mental health and treatment considerations
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“Health systems need to be able to respond to increased presentations, ideally by providing accessible, effective and youth-friendly mental health services, including evidence-based online approaches for distress and depression (Loades et al., 2020).”
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“Even though young people may not be contributing to the COVID-19 death toll, they are hugely impacted otherwise [12,29].”
BackgroundPsychological and psychiatric impact of COVID-19 pandemic among children and adolescents.
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Changes in social support of pregnant and postnatal mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adults and Their Children in Italy
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School Closures and Social Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Morrissette, M. (2020) · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2020.08.436 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Segre, G., Campi, R., Scarpellini, F., Clavenna, A., Zanetti, M., Cartabia, M., & Bonati, M. (2021) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-021-02704-1 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
“A recent review highlighted that children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends [8].”
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A scoping review of studies investigating hearing loss, social isolation and/or loneliness in adults
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“For example, social isolation and loneliness in older adults (over the age of 65 years) increases the risk of all-cause mortality (NASEM 2020), whereas in younger adults it increases the risk of depression (Loades et al. 2020).”
BackgroundMental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents during the covid-19 pandemic
Rider, E. A., Ansari, E., Varrin, P., & Sparrow, J. (2021) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.n1730 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Orgilés, M., Espada, J. P., Delvecchio, E., Francisco, R., Mazzeschi, C., Pedro, M. F., & Morales, A. (2021) · Psicothema · doi:10.7334/psicothema2020.287 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
“Also, loneliness, that use to happen when the social interaction is limited as in the home confi nements, is related to mental health problems in children and adolescents (Loades et al., 2020).”
Background
- Authors
- Loades, M. E., Chatburn, E., Higson-Sweeney, N., Reynolds, S., Shafran, R., Brigden, A., Linney, C., McManus, M. N., Borwick, C., & Crawley, E.
- Affiliations
- University of Bath (GB)
- University of Reading (GB)
- University College London (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Loades, Maria Elizabeth
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-11
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1218-1239.e3
- ISSN
- 0890-8567 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7267797
- OpenAlex
- W3032994313
- Semantic Scholar
- 2f56d4a6c5422a5a63fd63d68802403622921be4
- Cited by
- 2,906
- References
- 107
- Citations by year
- 2026: 227 · 2025: 291 · 2024: 398 · 2023: 568 · 2022: 716 · 2021: 603 · 2020: 99 · 2018: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 39.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Pure (University of Bath) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- CentAUR (University of Reading) (submittedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute for Health Research (DRF-2017-10-169, DRF-2016-09-021)
- Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity
- University College London
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- social isolation, loneliness, COVID-19 pandemic, child mental health, adolescent mental health, depression, anxiety, lockdown measures, early intervention
- MeSH terms
- COVID-19, Adolescent, Child, Humans, Loneliness, Mental Health, Pneumonia, Viral, Social Isolation, Coronavirus Infections, Pandemics
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