Mental health of Argentine children and adolescents and the COVID-19 pandemic: risk factors and lessons learned

Objective. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to screen mental health disorders in Argentine children and adolescents, and analyze the socio -environmental risk factors for developing them. Method. Four hundred ninety-eight (498) children and adolescents were assessed through parents' collateral reports. For the screening of mental health disorders, the Strength and Difficulties Scale (SDQ) was used. Children and adolescents' social and educational conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed, and their impact on the development of mental health disorders was analyzed through a multiple linear regression model. Results. 22.3% of children and adolescents had abnormal scores (>P90) in the global Difficulties scale of the SDQ. Emotional symptoms were the most prevalent. The impact of the pandemic on family life, the number of close friends of children and adolescents, and their school performance, explained 28.4% of the variance in Difficulties scale. Conclusions. Mental health problems in children and adolescents take center stage in the pandemic and post-pandemic context. For its approach, it seems essential to provide the most affected families with social and economic support that allow them to reorganize, reduce situations of social isolation of children and adolescents to a minimum, and focus on educational quality.