Principal investigator

Dr. Mira Vasileva

Cooperation partners

Dr. Alexandra de Young, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service

Prof. Eva Alisic, University of Melbourne

The COVID-19 Unmasked Global Collaboration

Duration

Since 2020

Background

For young children, the stressors associated with COVID-19 included disruptions to routine and education (e.g. childcare/school closures, caregivers working from home), reduced physical activity and leisure activities, caregiver distress and reduced responsiveness, and loss of social interaction with extended family and friends. Studies of children from the age of three years have found they were experiencing more irritability, anxiety and emotion dysregulation.

Project description

COVID-19 Unmasked (Young Children) is an online prospective study launched in Australia and in several other countries to help understand the mental health impacts of the pandemic on young children aged one to five years and their families. The first wave of data collection was completed between May and July 2020. A total of 998 parents reported on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, their own and their children’s wellbeing and worries. Many families described positive experiences during the first wave of lockdowns in Australia, including more quality family time together, increased connection with friends and family, and more appreciation and gratitude. However, children and parents have been affected in many ways. Mild to moderate emotional or behavioural difficulties in children were reported by 15-20% of parents. Tantrums, fears, worries, clinginess, low mood and sleeping difficulties were common. Some young children were confused about the pandemic and current restrictions and overestimated the risk of getting or transmitting the virus. Confusion, worries and unhelpful thoughts (e.g. that things will never be alright again) can cause increased sense of threat and have negative impact on a child’s wellbeing. Data collection will continue in 2025. Following the longitudinal trajectory of child and family coping can best inform future disaster-related research and interventions.

Funding: German Research Council (Project: 420503242)

Project-related publications:

De Young, A. C., Vasileva, M., Boruszak-Kiziukiewicz, J., Demipence Seçinti, D., Christie, H., Egberts, M. R., ... & COVID-19 Unmasked Global Collaboration. (2021). COVID-19 Unmasked Global Collaboration Protocol: longitudinal cohort study examining mental health of young children and caregivers during the pandemic. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1940760. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1940760

Vasileva, M., Alisic, E., & De Young, A. (2021). COVID-19 unmasked: Preschool children’s negative thoughts and worries during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1924442. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1924442

Vasileva, M., Marsac, M. L., Alisic, E., Cobham, V. E., Davis, S. H., Donovan, C., ... & De Young, A. (2022). Preschooler stressor-related thoughts and worries during the COVID-19 pandemic: Development and validation of a caregiver-report instrument. Traumatology. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000429