IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v21y2024i12p1552-d1528399.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Snapshot of Peer Relationships in Children and Youth: Pre- Versus During COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Jordyn Manis

    (Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7, Canada)

  • Shannon L. Stewart

    (Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, 1137 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1G7, Canada)

Abstract

Strong peer relationships are an essential component of a healthy, happy, and long lifetime. Given that there is little understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on peer relationships, this study explored the effects of the COVID waves on peer relationships for clinically referred children and youth while controlling for age, sex, and income. 11,281 children and youth between the ages of 4 and 18 years, who were receiving services from mental health agencies across Ontario from January 2018–March 2022, were assessed using the interRAI ChYMH. Chi-square tests of independence and logistic regression analysis was performed. Overall, as expected, there were significantly fewer peer relationship difficulties during COVID-19 compared to the pre-pandemic period. Despite the general decline of peer issues, individuals between the ages of 8–18, particularly males, were more likely to experience peer relationship difficulties compared to those 4–7 years old. Additionally, children from the lowest income households experienced greater peer relationship difficulties during COVID-19 when compared to those from the highest income households. The findings from this study demonstrate the nuanced changes in social behaviours due to the ongoing pandemic for children and youth and highlight those youth who are most in need of social and behavioural interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordyn Manis & Shannon L. Stewart, 2024. "A Snapshot of Peer Relationships in Children and Youth: Pre- Versus During COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:12:p:1552-:d:1528399
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/12/1552/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/12/1552/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Emily Widnall & Emma A. Adams & Ruth Plackett & Lizzy Winstone & Claire M. A. Haworth & Becky Mars & Judi Kidger, 2022. "Adolescent Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and School Closures and Implications for Mental Health, Peer Relationships and Learning: A Qualitative Study in South-West England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Anna Sorrentino & Francesco Sulla & Margherita Santamato & Marco di Furia & Giusi Antonia Toto & Lucia Monacis, 2023. "Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Prevalence among Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Due, P. & Merlo, J. & Harel-Fisch, Y. & Damsgaard, M.T. & Holstein, B.E. & Hetland, J. & Currie, C. & Gabhainn, S.N. & De Matos, M.G. & Lynch, J., 2009. "Socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying during adolescence: A comparative, cross-sectional, multilevel study in 35 countries," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(5), pages 907-914.
    4. Harran Al-Rahamneh & Lubna Arafa & Anas Al Orani & Rahaf Baqleh, 2021. "Long-Term Psychological Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children in Jordan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-10, July.
    5. Shannon L. Stewart & Ashley Toohey & Angela Celebre & Jeff W. Poss, 2021. "Abuse, Mental State, and Health Factors Pre and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison among Clinically Referred Adolescents in Ontario, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, September.
    6. So Young Shin & Yeon-Jun Choi, 2021. "Comparison of Cyberbullying before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, September.
    7. Ronald E. Dahl & Nicholas B. Allen & Linda Wilbrecht & Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman, 2018. "Importance of investing in adolescence from a developmental science perspective," Nature, Nature, vol. 554(7693), pages 441-450, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chamizo-Nieto, María Teresa & Arrivillaga, Christiane & Gómez-Hombrados, Jorge & Rey, Lourdes, 2024. "Preventing cyberbullying in victims: What role do cognitive coping strategies play in boys and girls?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    2. Anika Frühauf & Martin Kopp & Martin Niedermeier, 2022. "Risk Factors for Accidents and Close Calls in Junior Freeriders, Adolescent Alpine Skiers and Adult Freeriders—A Comparison," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Karla Dhungana Sainju & Huda Zaidi & Niti Mishra & Akosua Kuffour, 2022. "Xenophobic Bullying and COVID-19: An Exploration Using Big Data and Qualitative Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Lambon-Quayefio, Monica & Peterman, Amber & Handa, Sudhanshu & Molotsky, Adria & Otchere, Frank & Mvula, Peter & Tsoka, Maxton & de Hoop, Jacobus & Angeles, Gustavo & Kilburn, Kelly & Milazzo, Annamar, 2024. "Unconditional cash transfers and safe transitions to adulthood in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    5. Cattan, Sarah & Lereya, Suzet Tanya & Yoon, Yeosun & Gilbert, Ruth & Deighton, Jessica, 2023. "The impact of area level mental health interventions on outcomes for secondary school pupils: Evidence from the HeadStart programme in England," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    6. Aysel Esen Çoban & Nilay Kaptan, 2022. "Psychological and Behavioral Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents in Turkey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Elsaesser, Caitlin & Hong, Jun Sung & Voisin, Dexter R., 2016. "Violence exposure and bullying among African American adolescents: Examining the protective role of academic engagement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 394-402.
    8. Daria Denti, 2022. "Looking ahead in anger: The effects of foreign migration on youth resentment in England," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 578-603, March.
    9. Chen, Jiwei & Zhang, Zongli, 2024. "Family poverty and adolescents’ cognitive and noncognitive outcomes: Evidence from China," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    10. Md Irteja Islam & Gail M Ormsby & Enamul Kabir & Rasheda Khanam, 2021. "Estimating income-related and area-based inequalities in mental health among nationally representative adolescents in Australia: The concentration index approach," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, September.
    11. Jiang, Shan, 2020. "Psychological well-being and distress in adolescents: An investigation into associations with poverty, peer victimization, and self-esteem," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    12. Jorge J. Varela & Shazly Savahl & Sabirah Adams & Fernando Reyes, 2020. "Examining the Relationship Among Bullying, School Climate and Adolescent Well-Being in Chile and South Africa: a Cross Cultural Comparison," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(3), pages 819-838, June.
    13. Yang, Fan & Nelson-Gardell, Debra & Guo, Yuqi, 2018. "The role of strains in negative emotions and bullying behaviors of school-aged children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 290-297.
    14. Zych, Izabela & Rodríguez-Ruiz, Joaquín & Marín-López, Inmaculada & Llorent, Vicente J., 2020. "Longitudinal stability and change in adolescent substance use: A latent transition analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    15. Eduarda Lehmann Bannach & Samira Bourgeois-Bougrine & Alessandra Bianchi & Patricia Delhomme, 2024. "The Path to Sustainability: Psychological and Environmental Variables of Adolescents’ Transportation Choices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-15, November.
    16. Michael L. Wilson & Andrea C. Dunlavy & André Berchtold, 2013. "Determinants for Bullying Victimization among 11–16-Year-Olds in 15 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Multi-Level Study," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-13, October.
    17. Grosch, Kerstin & Haeckl, Simone & Rau, Holger & Preuss, Paul, 2023. "A Guide to Conducting School Experiments: Expert Insights and Best Practices for Effective Implementation," UiS Working Papers in Economics and Finance 2023/2, University of Stavanger.
    18. Maria Giuseppina Bartolo & Rocco Servidio & Anna Lisa Palermiti & Maria Rosaria Nappa & Angela Costabile, 2023. "Pro-Environmental Behaviors and Well-Being in Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Place Attachment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-12, May.
    19. Wahlström, Joakim & Modin, Bitte & Svensson, Johan & Löfstedt, Petra & Låftman, Sara Brolin, 2023. "There’s a tear in my beer: Bullying victimisation and young teenage drinking in Sweden," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    20. Contreras, Dante & Elacqua, Gregory & Martinez, Matías & Miranda, Álvaro, 2016. "Bullying, identity and school performance: Evidence from Chile," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 147-162.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:12:p:1552-:d:1528399. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.