McOwat, Kelsey 
ORCID: 0000-0003-4170-1498, Pinto Pereira, Snehal M ORCID: 0000-0002-0876-8757, Nugawela, Manjula D, Ladhani, Shamez N, Newlands, Fiona, Stephenson, Terence, Simmons, Ruth, Semple, Malcolm G ORCID: 0000-0001-9700-0418, Segal, Terry, Buszewicz, Marta et al (show 6 more authors)
(2023)
The CLoCk study: A retrospective exploration of loneliness in children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic, in England.
PloS one, 18 (11).
e0294165-.
|
PDF
The CLoCk study A retrospective exploration of loneliness in children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Engl.pdf - Open Access published version Download (805kB) | Preview |
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>During the COVID-19 pandemic children and young people (CYP) were socially restricted during a stage of life crucial to development, potentially putting an already vulnerable population at higher risk of loneliness, social isolation, and poorer wellbeing. The objectives of this study are to conduct an exploratory analysis into loneliness before and during the pandemic, and determine which self-reported factors are associated with loneliness.<h4>Methods and findings</h4>Participants from The Children with Long COVID (CLoCk) national study were invited to take part via an online survey, with a total of 31,017 participants taking part, 31,016 of which reported on their experience of loneliness. Participants retrospectively answered questions on demographics, lifestyle, physical health and mental health and loneliness before the pandemic and at the time of answering the survey. Before the pandemic 6.5% (2,006/31,016) of participants reported experiencing loneliness "Often/Always" and at the time of survey completion 17.4% (5,395/31,016) reported feeling lonelier. There was an association between meeting the research definition of long COVID and loneliness [3.49 OR, 95%CI 3.28-3.72]. CYP who reported feeling lonelier at the time of the survey than before the pandemic were assigned female at birth, older CYP, those from Black/African/Caribbean/Black British or other ethnicity groups, those that had 3-4 siblings and lived in more deprived areas.<h4>Conclusions</h4>We demonstrate associations between multiple factors and experiences of loneliness during the pandemic. There is a need for a multi-faceted integrated approach when developing interventions targeted at loneliness. It is important to follow up the CYP involved at regular intervals to investigate the progression of their experience of loneliness over time.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Consortium, Humans, Retrospective Studies, Loneliness, Adolescent, Child, Infant, Newborn, England, Female, Pandemics, COVID-19, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Dec 2023 16:48 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Dec 2023 16:48 |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0294165 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294165 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3177613 |
Dimensions
Dimensions
