Section 7: How the pandemic affected children’s mental health and wellbeing
Other research supports the additional levels of
family conflict and stress during the pandemic.
In the Ontario Parent Survey of 7,434 parents,
49% reported high levels of conflict with their
partner during the pandemic.36 In the AHRC’s
report on the impacts of COVID-19 on children
using Kids Helpline, children also spoke about
increased tensions within the family due to living
so closely together and increased arguments in
their homes.37
7.6 News and information
Some children commented on the negative
influence of the news and information about the
pandemic.
In free-text responses, parents/guardians and
grandparents highlighted their own stress,
struggles, and exhaustion brought on by the
pandemic, and how that influenced family
wellbeing. One mother stated:
t to
lity sho d da d
a
m
r
o
N
n
mu m a
ne’s
pieces,
ever yo
t
e
e
d
m
ace an
ling to
strugg a confine d sp ss
in
tre
nee ds
mo us s
r
o
n
e
ng
sufferi of sleep.
ACT
k
ability,
an d lac
ith a dis
er w
—Moth
A number of parents said that they felt news
and information about the pandemic had a
negative impact on their children’s mental
health and wellbeing.
or
hear
t
o
n
o
de d t NG abo ut
e
e
n
I
Y THI
N
A
e
se
a
D-19.
I
, from ic
V
O
C
9–11
n
d
or eth
l, age
—Gir c cultural nd, VIC
fi
grou
speci
back
When I
lo
especia ok at the ne
w
lly rece
ntly, th s,
ho pe a
at
nd
ho peles aspiration be
co me
sn
decrea ess, an d it
ses the
level of
excitem
ent I h
a
ve for
future.
the
—Girl,
aged 14
–1
cultura
l or eth 5, from a spec
nic bac
kgroun ific
d, VIC
p
sun co mes u
e
h
t
y
a
d
y
r
Eve
turn
y, until yo u
a
d
d
o
o
g
a
um
is
dio, so my m
ra
r
o
V
T
e
on th
crap
listen to the
s
u
t
le
’t
n
o
w
anymore.
—Boy, aged
80 |
A 2020 survey of 1,069 children aged 8–16,
showed that children have both strong positive
and negative emotions in response to news
media.38 It is important that children are given
opportunities to learn about the pandemic
and keep up to date with relevant policies and
restrictions. However, it has been noted that
there is considerable potential for confusion,
inaccuracy and misinformation when relying on
information through the mainstream media.
This can lead to unnecessary anxiety and
uncertainty in children.39 This is exacerbated
when most of the information available on
the pandemic has been developed for adult
audiences.40
12–13, NSW
‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 81