Impact of Resilience, During Covid- 19 Pandemic Related Social Isolation, On Mental Health of Children, As Seen in Terms of Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Since it began, the physical as well as psychological impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic have been discussed extensively. What has been discussed less, however, is the psychological impact that the social isolation associated with the pandemic has had on children, who do not completely understand the gravity of, or need for the same. The aim of this study is to assess the mediating effect of resilience on the mental health concerns in children, seen in terms of anxiety and depression, in face of the Covid 19 pandemic related social isolation. For the purpose of this study, a correlational research design was used and 124 children between the ages of 10 to 18 years were selected as sample. They were administered the Child and Youth Resilience Measure- Youth (CYRM- Y), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES- DC) and Screening for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED). Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used to analyze the responses. The results of the study showed a significant negative association between resilience levels and anxiety and depression symptoms in the participants. Also, the study suggests that resilience level of children can be used to predict their mental health. In conclusion, resilience building based intervention strategies might help in preventing mental health concerns like anxiety and depression in children facing social isolation due to the Covid 19 pandemic.