Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” Study
Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic created a growing need for insights into the mental health of children and youth and their use of coping mechanisms during this period. We assessed mood symptoms and related factors among children and youth in Saskatchewan. We examined if coping abilities...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| author | Nahin Shakurun Tamara Hinz Daniel A. Adeyinka Nazeem Muhajarine |
| author_facet | Nahin Shakurun Tamara Hinz Daniel A. Adeyinka Nazeem Muhajarine |
| author_sort | Nahin Shakurun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic created a growing need for insights into the mental health of children and youth and their use of coping mechanisms during this period. We assessed mood symptoms and related factors among children and youth in Saskatchewan. We examined if coping abilities mediated the relationship between risk factors and mood states. Methods: “See Us, Hear Us 2.0”, a cross-sectional study of 563 child–parent dyads, provided the data. The dependent variable, current mood state, was measured by the CoRonavIruS health Impact Survey (CRISIS) scale. Independent variables included sociodemographics, behaviors, household conditions, and coping ability. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted, ensuring sample representativeness with sampling weights and addressing missing data through multiple imputations. Results: The participants reported mood symptoms (“moderate” to “extreme”) ranging from 23% to 38% on the CRISIS scale. Factors such as older children, hybrid learning, disrupted activities, and increased screen time worsened moods. The ethnic minority groups (BIPOC) living in mid-sized cities/towns experienced more negative moods compared to Whites residing in cities. Coping ability mediated the relationship between extracurricular activities and mood states. Conclusions: Our results underscore the importance of tailored interventions, recognizing the diverse needs of specific age groups, gender identities, and ethnicities and addressing the adverse effects of the pandemic-related disruptions on the mental health and well-being of school children in Saskatchewan. Our study also suggests prioritizing the diverse needs of children and youth during the planning and implementation of mental health services in the province. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0460fb8329cb4753b61398b74c1d573b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-0460fb8329cb4753b61398b74c1d573b2025-01-24T13:27:13ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-01-011217910.3390/children12010079Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” StudyNahin Shakurun0Tamara Hinz1Daniel A. Adeyinka2Nazeem Muhajarine3Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, CanadaSaskatchewan Health Authority, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, CanadaDepartment of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, CanadaBackground/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic created a growing need for insights into the mental health of children and youth and their use of coping mechanisms during this period. We assessed mood symptoms and related factors among children and youth in Saskatchewan. We examined if coping abilities mediated the relationship between risk factors and mood states. Methods: “See Us, Hear Us 2.0”, a cross-sectional study of 563 child–parent dyads, provided the data. The dependent variable, current mood state, was measured by the CoRonavIruS health Impact Survey (CRISIS) scale. Independent variables included sociodemographics, behaviors, household conditions, and coping ability. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted, ensuring sample representativeness with sampling weights and addressing missing data through multiple imputations. Results: The participants reported mood symptoms (“moderate” to “extreme”) ranging from 23% to 38% on the CRISIS scale. Factors such as older children, hybrid learning, disrupted activities, and increased screen time worsened moods. The ethnic minority groups (BIPOC) living in mid-sized cities/towns experienced more negative moods compared to Whites residing in cities. Coping ability mediated the relationship between extracurricular activities and mood states. Conclusions: Our results underscore the importance of tailored interventions, recognizing the diverse needs of specific age groups, gender identities, and ethnicities and addressing the adverse effects of the pandemic-related disruptions on the mental health and well-being of school children in Saskatchewan. Our study also suggests prioritizing the diverse needs of children and youth during the planning and implementation of mental health services in the province.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/79COVID-19pandemicpost-COVID eramood statesCRISIS scalechildren and youth |
| spellingShingle | Nahin Shakurun Tamara Hinz Daniel A. Adeyinka Nazeem Muhajarine Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” Study Children COVID-19 pandemic post-COVID era mood states CRISIS scale children and youth |
| title | Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” Study |
| title_full | Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” Study |
| title_fullStr | Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” Study |
| title_short | Unpacking the Mood States of Children and Youth in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the “See Us, Hear Us 2.0” Study |
| title_sort | unpacking the mood states of children and youth in saskatchewan canada in the context of the covid 19 pandemic insights from the see us hear us 2 0 study |
| topic | COVID-19 pandemic post-COVID era mood states CRISIS scale children and youth |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/79 |
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