Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to families' lives in many ways, including through lockdowns, social distancing, home learning requirements, and restrictions. This resulted in a rapidly changing situation where different pressures have arisen for children, young people and their families over time. Understanding the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young people, through the collection of high quality data and in a way that could directly inform policy, was set out as an immediate research priority in a Lancet position paper (Holmes et al., 2020) at the start of the pandemic.  The Co-SPACE study was launched on 30th March 2020, a week after the first national lockdown was implemented in the UK, with the purpose of using the findings to inform resources and support for families.The Co-SPACE project aimed to:track participating children and young people’s mental health throughout the COVID-19 crisis identify what protects children and young people from deteriorating mental health (over time, and at particular stress points)determine how this varies according to child, family and environmental characteristics.The Co-SPACE study, overall, involved an online longitudinal survey completed monthly by (i) UK-based parents/carers of children and young people (aged 4-16 years, at the start of the study), and (ii) their children (if aged 11-16 years, at the start of the study). To develop a richer understanding of people’s experiences, qualitative interviews were also conducted with parents/carers, young people, and people who work with them. The current data available includes parent/carer reported survey data only.The study was designed and conducted with rapid and meaningful stakeholder involvement, including through in-depth discussion with advisory groups of experts, young people, and parents/carers.  Parent/carer and young people's involvement was facilitated through the UKRI Emerging Minds Research Network Plus.In addition to the Principal Investigators, contributors to the study were as follows: Praveetha Patalay, UCL; Helen Dodd, University of Exeter; Pete Lawrence, University of Southampton; Simona Skripkauskaite, University of Oxford; Samantha Pearcey, University of Oxford; Adrienne Shum, University of Oxford; Amy McCall, University of Oxford; Olly Robertson, University of Oxford; Bettina Moltrecht, UCL; Eoin McElroy, Ulster University.Further information, including research reports, are available from the Co-SPACE project website.

Main Topics:

The survey covered: demographic details; health history; Covid-19 experiences; employment changes; school attendance and concerns about it; family relationships, routines, communication; children's mental health/behavioural difficulties; parental stress, mental health, and needs. 

Volunteer sample

Self-administered questionnaire: Computer-assisted (CASI)