Longer term psychological trauma following the COVID-19 pandemic for children and families

Abstract

The psychological trauma following COVID-19 has been lengthy and fraught for some children and their families. The specific problems encountered by children rendered helpless and hopeless by watching others suffer, vicarious traumatisation, is explained in brief as it represents a central motif in clinical work in psychology. This paper will focus on what is known of the nature of psychological trauma in children and families with a focus on the individual clinical manifestations of personal significance. As a backdrop, consideration will be given to the epidemiological trends of psychological morbidity in and around the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the article seeks to provide readers with an appreciation of the dimensions of the neural legacy of COVID-19, a form of neurodisability developing in vulnerable children at a point in time, that is likely to emerge in children suffering an enduring trauma response.