Now You're Talking! Burdens and Psychosocial Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Austrian Children and Adolescents

The survey Jetzt Sprichst Du! (Now you're talking!) impressively demonstrates the psychosocial burden and impairments of children and adolescents in Austria during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of an online questionnaire, 5483 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years of age were asked about their feelings, fears, worries, and assessments regarding the coronavirus pandemic. As can be seen, children and adolescents are worried about the situation, and girls are more burdened by this across all age groups. The study also clearly shows that the risk of a COVID-19-associated hospitalization is massively overestimated by children and adolescents, similar to adults. In addition, a great lack of perspective caused by the constantly challenging situation is evident across all age groups. Feelings of fury, anger, loneliness, and sadness are reported much more frequently than previously. Last but not least, our study shows an alarming reduction of sleep quality and a drastic increase in self-reported sleep problem already in this young population. The data from the Jetzt Sprichst Du! survey emphasize the need for inevitable and rapid action in order to limit the psychosocial and health-related collateral damage and to reduce the negative impact on young people's psychological development, as far as this is still possible today.

Automated summary

The survey in Austria highlights the psychological burden and impairments faced by children and adolescents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents are worried about the situation, with girls being more burdened across all age groups. The study also shows an overestimation of the risk of COVID-19-associated hospitalization and a lack of perspective, leading to increased negative emotions and sleep problems.