The Psychosocial Impact of Long Covid in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

It is increasingly recognised that Long Covid may have profound psychosocial implications for children and adolescents, yet systematic reviews have predominantly synthesised findings pertaining to the impact of Long Covid in adults and the COVID-19 pandemic more broadly. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence related specifically to the psychosocial impact of Long Covid in children and adolescents. Five academic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO) were searched for relevant studies using terms related to ‘Long Covid’, ‘children and adolescents’, and ‘psychosocial outcomes’. Grey literature and citation searches were also performed. Quantitative and qualitative studies which estimated the prevalence of, or described, psychosocial outcomes in children and adolescents with Long Covid were included. 41 studies were included, comprising 35 quantitative and six qualitative papers. Five key themes were identified: mental health difficulties, stigma victimisation, and disruption to school functioning, social functioning, and leisure activities. This review lays the groundwork for a new phase of research and practice that regards young people with Long Covid not merely as patients with persistent symptoms but as children, entitled to the same opportunities as their peers, whose developmental, social and emotional needs demand fully equitable attention.