A Family-Based Approach to Promoting Pediatric Mental Health Recovery in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this scoping review is to identify strategies from existing literature, for school-based professionals to share with parents, that may be used on a family-level to help the recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric mental health. Data Source This scoping review consists of a comprehensive PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar database search. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Studies published between 2020 and 2023 that were written in English, originated in the United States, and evaluated pediatric mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were considered for inclusion in the scoping review. Data Extraction and Data Synthesis One researcher independently conducted the PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar literature search. Subsequently, results were reviewed independently by two additional researchers. Results Title and abstract review were conducted for 2563 articles. After excluding studies not written in English, studies with international origin, and studies which were not relevant to this scoping review, 101 studies remained for full-text review. After full-text review, 32 studies (31.68%) were deemed relevant and concordant with the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. We identified five prominent themes: 1) maintaining daily life and routines, 2) the importance of physical activity and the pandemic’s effect on student athletes’ mental health, 3) the use of screen time, 4) the effect of parent and caregiver stress on their children’s mental health, and 5) the effect of pandemic-related health disparities and racism on pediatric mental health. Discussion This scoping review focused on interventions and practices which can be implemented at the family level to help children and adolescents recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health.