Keywords
Psychosocial care center
Covid-19
Child
Nursing
Mental health
How to Cite
Abstract
Objective: To describe characteristics related to child and adolescent mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This was a cross-sectional, exploratory-descriptive study with a quantitative approach, conducted at a Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Center in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The convenience sample consisted of 185 medical records. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were extracted between August and October 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 185 medical records were analyzed. There was a predominance of female users (58.9%) and individuals aged 12–17 years (65.4%). The most frequent diagnoses were anxiety disorders (45.9%) and mood disorders (28.1%). The main symptoms that led to seeking care included generalized anxiety (62.7%), suicidal ideation (35.1%), social isolation (31.9%), and psychomotor agitation (25.4%). Among children with autism spectrum disorder, reports of sensory disorganization and loss of previously acquired skills were common. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the demand for child and adolescent mental health care, with a predominance of anxiety and mood disorders. The findings highlight the need for public policies and clinical strategies aimed at mitigating the long-term effects of the health crisis in this vulnerable population and strengthening the psychosocial care network.
References
Cunha MS, Queiroz-Cardoso AI, Costa LS, Matricardi JL das N, Pompeo CM. Repercussões da pandemia de covid-19 na Mortalidade Materna no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Saúde debate. 2025; 49(144):e8839. https://doi.org/10.1590/2358-28982 0251448839p.
Mata AA, Silva ACFL, Bernardes F de S, Gomes G de A, Silva IR, Meirelles JPSC, et al. Impacto da pandemia de covid-19 na saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes: uma revisão integrativa. Braz J Dev. 2021;7(1):6901-6917. https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv 7n1-466.
Santos LC, Pinheiro TJS, Andrade TIX, Sousa PHA, Braga PP, Romano MCC. Psychosocial impacts of social isolation due to COVID-19 in children, adolescents and young people: a scoping review. Rev Enferm UFSM. 2021;11:e73. https://doi.org/10.5902 /2179769265407.
Marin AH, Andrada BC, Schmidt B, Melo BD, Lima CC, Fernandes CM, et al. Saúde Mental e Atenção Psicossocial na COVID-19: Crianças na Pandemia COVID-19. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2020. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21341.23523
Bilar JA, Bulhões C de SG, Sette GCS, Perrelli JGA, Soares AKF, Lima APE. The mental health of children during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review. REME. 2022;26:e-1450. https:// doi.org/10.35699/2316-9389.2022.37693.
Ravens-Sieberer U, Erhart M, Devine J, Gilbert M, Reiss F, Barkmann C, et al. Child and Adolescent Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of the Three-Wave Longitudinal COPSY Study. J Adolesc Health. 2022;71(5):570-578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.06.022. PMID: 35989235.
Freitas APC, Guimarães CF, Susin L. A Cidade e a Infância: Possibilidades da Saúde Mental na Atenção Básica. Psicol. cienc. prof. 2022;42:e240239. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-3703003240239.
Qin Z, Shi L, Xue Y, Lin H, Zhang J, Liang P, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Self-reported Psychological Distress Among Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(1):e2035487. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.35487. PMID: 33496797.
Pontes ER, Silva MRS da, Dal Pai S, Alfaro EB, Santos AM dos. Children and Adolescents with Depression: Perception of Family Caregivers. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto). 2023;33:e3312. https://doi. org/10.1590/1982-4327e3312.
Larangeira JP, Nakamura E. “The reason I had to provide care”: meanings assigned to caregiving by the female caregivers of children assisted by a Mental Health Service. Interface (Botucatu). 2023; 27:e230437. https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.22043 8.
Onocko-Campos RT. Mental health in Brazil: strides, setbacks, and challenges. Cad Saude Publica. 2019;35(11):e00156119. https://doi.org/10.1590/01 02-311x00156119. PMID: 31691783.
Marin AH, Andrada BC, Schmidt B, Melo BD, Lima CC, Fernandes CM, et al. Saúde mental e atenção psicossocial na pandemia COVID-19: crianças na pandemia COVID-19 [Internet]. Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz/CEPEDES; 2020 [citado 2026 Jan 22]. Disponível em: https://arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/4 1713.
Teixeira MR, Couto MCV, Delgado PGG. Primary care and collaborative care in children and adolescents psychosocial interventions: facilitators and barriers. Cien Saude Colet. 2017;22(6):1933-1942. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017226.06 892016. PMID: 28614513.
Ravens-Sieberer U, Kaman A, Erhart M, Devine J, Schlack R, Otto C. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life and mental health in children and adolescents in Germany. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022;31(6):879-889. https://doi. org/10.1007/s00787-021-01726-5. PMID: 3349248 0.
Shonkoff JP, Garner AS, Siegel BS, Dobbins MI, Earls MF, Garner AS, et al. The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress. Pediatrics. 2012;129(1):e232-e246. https://doi.org/1 0.1542/peds.2011-2663. PMID: 22201156.
Castel R. As metamorfoses da questão social: uma crônica do salário. 12th ed. Petrópolis (RJ): Vozes; 2015.
Saurabh K, Ranjan S. Compliance and Psychological Impact of Quarantine in Children and Adolescents due to Covid-19 Pandemic. Indian J Pediatr. 2020; 87(7):532-536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-020-03347-3. PMID: 32472347.
Duan L, Shao X, Wang Y, Huang Y, Miao J, Yang X, et al. An investigation of mental health status of children and adolescents in China during the outbreak of COVID-19. J Affect Disord. 2020;275: 112-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.029. PMID: 32658812.
Hamatani S, Hiraoka D, Makita K, Tomoda A, Mizuno Y. Longitudinal impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of children in the ABCD study cohort. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):19601. https://doi. org/10.1038/s41598-022-22694-z. PMID: 3637999 7.
Santana P de O, Almeida CF de. Aspectos envolvidos na saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes: uma revisão de literatura. Rev. fisio&terapia [Internet]. 2024 [citado 2026 Jan 22]; 28(131):1-15. Disponível em: https://revistaft.com. br/aspectos-envolvidos-na-saude-mental-de-crianca s-e-adolescentes-uma-revisao-de-literatura/
Wang L, Yeerjiang Y, Gao HF, Pei JF, Zhang RX, Xu WH. Self-reported anxiety level and related factors in senior high school students in China during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019. J Affect Disord. 2022;301:260-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j .jad.2022.01.056. PMID: 35038483.
Vieira G de A, Vieira R de A, Almeida L de AW, Zamboni G de A, Pimentel JP, Torres LL, et al. O impacto da Covid-19 na saúde mental das crianças, jovens e adolescentes. Acervo Médico. 2023;23(1): e11430. https://doi.org/10.25248/reamed.e11430.20 23.
Baweja R, Brown SL, Edwards EM, Murray MJ. COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022;52(1):473-482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803 -021-04950-9. PMID: 33689088.
Linhares MBM, Enumo SRF. Reflexões baseadas na Psicologia sobre efeitos da pandemia COVID-19 no desenvolvimento infantil. Estud. psicol. (Campinas). 2020;37:e200089. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-027 5202037e200089.
Barišić A, Ergović Ravančić M, Majstorović D, Vraneković J. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Croatian Survey. Balkan J Med Genet. 2024;27(1): 51-58. https://doi.org/10.2478/bjmg-2024-0007. PMID: 39263648.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Online Brazilian Journal of Nursing