Children’s Mental Health During Pandemic Influenced by Adult Vaccination Rates and Socioeconomic Factors

A study led by Dr. Yunyu Xiao and published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children’s mental health improved after adult COVID-19 vaccinations became available. Using data from over 8,400 children, the study showed that stress and worry declined in states with higher adult vaccination rates, while those in states with lower rates or later eligibility faced more pandemic-related anxiety.

The study also linked worsened mental health to social stressors like food insecurity, parental unemployment, and essential worker exposure—highlighting the need for policy-level interventions to support children’s well-being during public health crises.