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Author ORCID Identifier

Dr Mithila Das Mazumder - 

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5801-2205

Dr Likitha A C

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0180-408X

Corresponding Author

Dr Likitha A C

[email protected]

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 disrupted every aspect of life, particularly affecting the mental well-being of children. Prolonged school closures, isolation, and lifestyle changes significantly impacted emotional and behavioral development.This study evaluated the mental health status of children three years after the pandemic and analyzed the influence of sociodemographic factors.

 

Objectives:

  1. To assess the current status of mental health among children 7–15 years, three years after  COVID-19.
  2. To evaluate the sociodemographic factors associated with mental health outcomes.

Methods:

 A cross sectional study was conducted from June2023 to December 2024 among 125 children aged 7–15 years at our institute.The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was administered to parents. Scores were analyzed using SPSS v26, applying chi-square, ANOVA, and t-tests for associations between mental health levels, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES).

Results:Among 125 participants, 54.4% were male and 45.6% female. Most children (89.6%) were in the normal mental health range, 5.6% were borderline, and 4.8% were in the abnormal range. A significant association was found between SES and mental health levels (p=0.025). Anxiety (8%) and rule-breaking behavior (8%) were the most common symptoms. Somatic complaints and social problems were significantly associated with SES (p=0.008 and p=0.018 respectively).

Conclusion: Three years after COVID-19, most children demonstrated satisfactory mental health, though a subset continued to exhibit anxiety and behavioral concerns. Socioeconomic disparities significantly influenced mental well-being. Long-term psychological monitoring and family-based interventions remain crucial in pediatric care post-pandemic.

Keywords: Mental health, Socioeconomic status ,Depression, COVID-19,Child Behavior Checklist

Publication Date

2026

Publisher

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research

Conflict of Interest

None 

Keywords

Mental health, Socioeconomic status, Depression, COVID-19, Child Behavior Checklist

Word Count

1140

Comments

This study evaluates mental health outcomes in children post COVID 19 Pandemic

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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