Table 1 Main characteristics of the included studies
Author | Year | Country | Type of study | Objective | Participants | Age, years (mean±SD) | Measures | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chen et al. [30] | 2021 | China | Cross-sectional | To evaluate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in students in Wuhan | Children | 12.26 ± 2.14 years | Online questionnaire | According to the findings, 11.5% of students had clinical criteria related to PTSD symptoms. |
Davico et al. [31] | 2021 | Italy | Cross-sectional | Assessing the mental impact of COVID-19 on adults and children | Adult and children | 12.3 ± 3.2 years | Online questionnaire | The results showed that 30.9% of children were at high risk for PTSD in the COVID-19 crisis. |
Eray et al. [32] | 2021 | Turkey | Cross-sectional | Evaluation of admission of children with psychiatric symptoms during and before the COVID-19 pandemic | Children | First group: 14.4±2.53 Second group: 14.2±3.05 | Patients data | The results showed an increase in diagnoses of PTSD among children during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
He et al. [33] | 2021 | China | Cross-sectional | To assess children’s psychological health conditions in the COVID-19 pandemic | Children | 11.83±0.79 years | Online questionnaire | The results showed that children’s rates of PTSD were low (the prevalence of PTSD was 2.04%) |
Ma et al. [34] | 2021 | China | Cross-sectional | To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological health among Chinese children | Parents and children | 7–15 years | Online questionnaire | The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused PTSD, as well as 20.7 and 7.2% of children experienced PTSD. |
Raffagnato et al. [35] | 2021 | Italy | Longitudinal study | To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders | Children and their parents | 13.4±2.77 years | Semi-structured interview and questionnaires | No significant differences were found in the psychological behavior of patients, as evidenced by a significant reduction in post-traumatic stress problems. |
Raymond et al. [36] | 2022 | Canada | Longitudinal study | To assess the effects of mental distress in children during the COVID-19 pandemic | Children | 9–14 years | Online questionnaire | The results showed that PTS symptoms increased in children aged 9 to 11 years old. |
Sayed et al. [37] | 2021 | Saudi Arabia | Cross-sectional | To assess for PTSD symptoms in children/adolescents in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic | Children | 12.25±3.77 years | Online questionnaire | The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with the prevalence of PTSD in children. |
Xu et al. [38] | 2021 | China | Cross-sectional | To investigate the prevalence of PTSD in school students in China during COVID-19 | Children | 8–18 years | Questionnaire | The results showed that the COVID-19 crisis has led to psychological stresses on Chinese students. |
Zhang et al. [39] | 2021 | China | Cross-sectional | To assess the psychological health status of children discharged in the COVID-19 pandemic | Children | 7–18 years | Questionnaire | An increased prevalence of PTSD was observed in discharged children. |