Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children: an analysis of the situation through a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, providing support for children has emerged as a significant challenge for social workers. However, there is a lack of research examining how social workers assess the pandemic's impact on children. In this study, we conducted a survey within a population-based cohort of children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. By employing the "Children’s Coping Strategies during COVID-19" scale, we evaluated the pandemic's multifaceted influence on children through the lens of the effectiveness of social work measures. The results revealed distinct and significant positive correlations between the impacts of COVID-19 on children, children’s coping strategies during COVID-19, the social work approach, and the effectiveness of the social work approach. Moreover, the impacts of COVID-19 on the effectiveness of the social work approach on children after the pandemic, encompassing aspects like ensuring primary care for children, personal intervention, discussions on the pandemic's impact on children's lives and activities, as well as school support, were all significantly and positively associated with the effectiveness of social work measures. Additionally, the analysis unveiled that social workers assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Vietnamese children as yielding average effects. These findings underscore the significance of interdisciplinary support and rehabilitation for children grappling with the consequences of COVID-19. Nevertheless, for a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects, future longitudinal research is imperative. Please review the text for grammar and accuracy.