The Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Child Development, Behavior, Well-Being, and Risk for Delinquency

Item

Title
The Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Child Development, Behavior, Well-Being, and Risk for Delinquency
Creator
Madison M Brown
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
Project Type
Professional Project
Date
6/15/2025
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was unexpected and fast-moving, leaving schools, communities, and families ill-prepared to maintain ideal environments for developing children. School closures, stay-at-home orders, and quarantine left youth feeling isolated and feeling the strains of family conflict, academic struggles, physical inactivity, limited access to nutritional meals, disruptions in daily schedules, mental illness, and more. This study aimed to observe and discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child development, behavior, well-being, and the potential risk for delinquency. To collect data and studies surrounding this issue, there was a collection of secondary research through internet searching databases, including but not limited to, the National Library of Medicine, ScienceDirect, Springer Nature Link, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each source was reviewed and then deconstructed to utilize the most relevant evidence. Findings show that children experienced an increase in mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, an increase in experienced physical and emotional abuse, declines in academic performance, especially in math and science, limited access to proper nutrition and physical activity, leading to obesity, and accelerated brain maturation and cortical thinning due to chronic stress. The results call for awareness to address how youth are struggling and what changes must be made to get them back on the right path. Without these needed changes in their education, home life, mental health, and behavior, these children risk long-term adverse effects on their daily lives and potentially criminal habits.
Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, childhood development, behavior, well-being, school-aged children, delinquency, youth
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/20/2025, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
Language
eng
Type
Text
Identifier
MadisonBrown_PP_2025
Item sets
Graduate Work
Media
MadisonBrown_PP_2025.pdf