Abstract/Summary

Background: We examine whether there has been an increase in young adolescent and maternal mental health problems from pre to post-onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Children aged 11-12 years and their mothers participating in a UK population-based birth cohort (Wirral Child Health and Development Study) provided mental health data between December 2019 and March 2020 and again 3 months after lockdown, 89% (N = 202) of 226 assessed pre-COVID-19. Emotional and behavioural problems were assessed by self- and maternal-report, and long-term vulnerability by maternal-report of prior child adjustment, and maternal prenatal depression. Results: The young adolescents reported a 44% (95% CI [23%-65%]) increase in symptoms of depression and 26% (95% CI [12%-40%]) for PTSD, with corresponding maternal reports of child symptoms of 71% (95% CI [44%–99%]) and 43% (95% CI 29%-86%). Disruptive behaviour problem symptoms increased by 76% (95% CI [43%-109%]) particularly in children without previous externalising symptoms. Both female gender and having had high internalising symptoms earlier in childhood were associated with elevated rates of depression pre-pandemic, and with greater absolute increases during COVID-19. Mothers’ own depression symptoms increased by 42% (95% CI [20%-65%]), and this change was greater among mothers who had prenatal depression. No change in anxiety was observed among children or mothers. None of these increases was moderated by COVID-19 related experiences such as front-line worker status of a parent. Prior to the pandemic, rates of maternal and child depression were greater in families experiencing higher deprivation, but changed only in less deprived families, raising their rates to those of the high deprivation group.