IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article reviews the scientific literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents, with emphasis on anxiety disorders, depression, and sleep disturbances. A narrative review was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, LILACS, and the Virtual Health Library (VHL), covering publications from 2019 to 2026. Original articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses addressing mental health outcomes in individuals aged 0 to 18 years were included. The studies analyzed revealed high prevalences of depressive symptoms (6.3–71.5%), anxiety (17.6–43.7%), and sleep disorders (42%) among children and adolescents during the pandemic. Among the main risk factors identified were female sex, older age, pre-existing neuropsychiatric disorders, food insecurity, greater screen exposure time, and low socioeconomic status. Protective strategies encompassed physical exercise, positive family communication, and social support. In Brazil, a longitudinal study with 5,795 participants found prevalences of 29.7% for anxiety and 36.1% for depression. It is concluded that the pandemic had a substantial and persistent impact on the mental health of children and adolescents, requiring public policies for early screening and intervention.