Abstract
BACKGROUND: The study aimed to assess the severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with previously diagnosed psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. METHODS: Online questionnaires were used to investigate three groups of subjects: patients with a psychiatric diagnosis, primary school pupils, and children from children's homes. A total of 167 children with their parents or guardians participated in the study. In addition to basic statistics, a multidimensional Centroid Class Principal Component Analysis (CCPCA) model was used. RESULTS: It was found that the strongest fear of the coronavirus was experienced by children from children's homes, while the most severe depressive symptoms and state anxiety were observed among patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Parental care by assisting with school education and lack of close contact with other people (less than two metres) at parents/guardians' work had the most potent protective effect in reducing the fear of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for further research in children and adolescents to develop effective strategies for protecting their mental well-being when faced with social isolation or disease.