Coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) pandemic has unfolded a tsunami of challenges for
mankind over the past 10 months. Despite this, it has triggered
a global collaboration to control the pandemic, and transformed
every individual by influencing family dynamics.
Many families are experiencing an ongoing,
pervasive sense of loss e.g., loss of social networks,
jobs, financial security and threatened loss of loved ones. This
has impacted the quality of relationships among parents,
children and siblings. It poses a significant risk for the
adjustment of more than 37 crore children (0-14 years) in India,
given their dependence on positive family processes for a host
of developmental outcomes.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON FAMILY DYNAMICS
Social disruptions from the pandemic and
changes in gender norms (moving closer to equal roles in the
home) that defines, our new ‘normal’ have generated heightened
levels of psychological distress, impacting the quality of
relationships among parents and children.
In March, 2020, schools across India were
shut down to curb the transmission of COVID-19. Children have
been at home for longer periods of time than ever before in
recent memory. Closure of schools, lack of extracurricular and
outdoor activities, altered eating and sleeping habits, lack of
peer-time have fostered monotony, anguish, irritation, and
diverse neuro-psychiatric symptoms. Although home should be the
safest place for a child, sexual, psychological and physical
abuse have shown a significant rise.
This has unfolded an unparalleled global
mental health problem and it presents a unique challenge to
psychological resilience across the world. This may soon lead to
an outbreak of a ‘second pandemic’ of mental health crises.
Children of single parents, including medical
professionals taking care of COVID-19 patients, are likely to
suffer from adjustment difficulties if their parent gets
quarantined. In addition, transient or prolonged parent-child
separation may lead to sifnificant psychosocial impact.
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES OF COVID-19
It has been reported that the most common
psychosocial and behavioral problems among children and
adolescents in the pandemic were inattention, clinginess,
distraction and fear of asking questions about the pandemic.
This risk is greatly increased in those with pre-existing mental
health conditions.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,
helpline numbers for mental health counselling are seeing a huge
surge in calls, with anxiety and adjustment issues topping the
list. In addition, domestic violence incidence in India is at a
10-year high during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Thus, the COVID-19 disease itself, and its
ripple effects of quarantine and nationwide lockdowns have and
will induce acute panic, anxiety, obsessive behaviors, paranoia,
and depression, and may also lead to post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) in the long run.
BOUNCING FORWARD FOR A NEW NORMAL
Identification of children and adolescents at
risk by health care providers is especially important during
clinical visits/teleconsultation. It is important to screen for
psychiatric and psychosocial effects of social distancing and
quarantine on families. Asking direct questions on wellbeing and
safety at home will be a critical approach to screen children at
risk of or experiencing domestic abuse. Other vital
interventions for families include suggesting mental health
resources, contact or emergency numbers and counseling.
The current pandemic is a lingering stressor that may damage
our mind and body, resulting in long-term health consequences.
The impact of stress and adversity on physical and psychological
wellbeing should be increasingly focused on in a pediatric
clinic as the need of the hour. Proactively preventing
psychosocial crisis, fostering psychosocial wellness and
developing cost optimal widely accessible intervention models
should be the topmost priority for the government, health care
personnel and other stakeholders.
