In tandem or apart? Exploring self-reported and parental perceptions regarding children and adolescents’ mental health changes and support needs during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study delves into whether children and adolescents and their parents share similar perceptions of mental health changes experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing data from 510 child-parent pairs, the research explores the alignment between self-reported mental health changes and support needs among children and adolescents aged 8–18 and their parent’s perspectives. The findings reveal low agreement among child-parent pairs on pandemic-induced mental health changes and support needs, with Kappa values of 0.4 and 0.2, respectively. While most children and adolescents reported a decline in mental health, only 62% of parents acknowledged this change. Additionally, only one in four children and adolescents reported needing support, compared to one in eight parents. The child-parent agreement on pandemic-induced mental health changes was positively correlated with several factors: poorer pre-pandemic mental health status, online schooling experience during the pandemic, and changes in physical activity levels (whether an increase or decrease). Household income influenced agreement differently by ethnicity: minority children and adolescents showed reduced odds of agreement at lower income levels but increased odds at higher income levels, whereas White children’s likelihood of agreement remained consistent across income levels. Lower agreement on support needs were observed among children and adolescents with emotional dysregulation and inadequate sleep, while higher agreement was found among those with immigrant parents. Addressing ongoing and emerging mental health challenges in the post-pandemic era necessitates innovative, adaptable, and equitable interventions, and improved communication between children and their parents.