Children and Adolescents with Disabilities and Exposure to Disasters, Terrorism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Scoping Review

Mana Mann, Julia E. McMillan, Ellen J. Silver, Ruth E.K. Stein

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This paper reviews the empirical literature on exposures to disaster or terrorism and their impacts on the health and well-being of children with disabilities and their families since the last published update in 2017. We also review the literature on studies examining the mental health and functioning of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent Findings: Few studies have examined the effects of disaster or terrorism on children with disabilities. Research shows that children with disabilities and their families have higher levels of disaster exposure, lower levels of disaster preparedness, and less recovery support due to longstanding discriminatory practices. Similarly, many reports of the COVID-19 pandemic have documented its negative and disproportionate impacts on children with disabilities and their families. Summary: In the setting of climate change, environmental disasters are expected to increase in frequency and severity. Future studies identifying mitigating factors to disasters, including COVID-19; increasing preparedness on an individual, community, and global level; and evaluating post-disaster trauma-informed treatment practices are imperative to support the health and well-being of children with disabilities and their families.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number80
JournalCurrent psychiatry reports
Volume23
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Children
  • Disabilities
  • Disaster
  • Mental health
  • Pandemic
  • Terrorism
  • Trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Children and Adolescents with Disabilities and Exposure to Disasters, Terrorism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Scoping Review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this