Greek Child and Adolescent Well-Being in the Post-pandemic Normalcy.

backgroundThe measures taken to protect public health during the pandemic had a significant impact on the mental, social, and physical well-being of children and adolescents. Restrictive measures had affected their development, behavior, school life, family, and friendships.

aimTo explore the psychological impact on children and adolescents after the withdrawal of COVID-19 restrictions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study was a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample. The sample consisted of 100 children and adolescents, and it was conducted in the outpatient department of the pediatric population of the Regional Unit of Trikala. The scale used in the present study explores post-pandemic coping strategies upon life returning to normal for children and teenagers, "PPCSRN-CT." The data were analyzed with the SPSS-12 statistical package, and multiple linear regression was performed. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

resultsIn the study, nearly 60% of the participants were girls, and over 80% of the children and adolescents lived in urban areas in Trikala Prefecture. Half of them (50%) were 12 years old or older. The statistical analysis found that children and adolescents worry significantly more about the health of their loved ones when they are alone and don't have anyone to share their concerns with (p = 0.008). Furthermore, children and adolescents who lived with both parents believe that their parents have become less strict with them after the withdrawal of restrictions due to the pandemic (p = 0.001). Additionally, children and adolescents living with both parents believe that their parents care for them more after the withdrawal of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.013). The study also revealed that the desire of children and teenagers to learn more about COVID-19 is positively affected by whether someone close to them has been sick with SARS-CoV-2 (p = 0.009). Furthermore, children and adolescents who want to learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic and whose parents are less strict with them expect their lives to return to normal immediately after the removal of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.016 and p = 0.006, respectively). Finally, the study found that children and adolescents' belief that they will move on in life together with friends is positively influenced by whether they are less emotionally burdened (p = 0.024) and by whether they are more positive about their daily life (p < 0.001).

conclusionsIt is important to evaluate the perceptions of children and adolescents post-pandemic in order to implement interventions to empower this group.