Pandemic-related stressors and social resources differentially predict competence and problem behavior trajectories of young children born during the pandemic

Child Dev. 2026 Mar 9:aacaf041. doi: 10.1093/chidev/aacaf041. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted family life and children’s social worlds, disproportionately impacting structurally disadvantaged families. In a cohort of children born during the pandemic (N = 407, 51% male, 33.3% racially/ethnically minoritized), we modeled latent growth curves with children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviors and social-emotional competence, assessed at 3 time points beginning at ∼15 months. Pandemic stressors had immediate impacts on behavior problems, associated with higher initial levels but not change over time. Conversely, pandemic impacts on competence showed a “long tail,” associated with slower growth over time. Structural disadvantage predicted higher internalizing intercepts. Maternal prenatal social support emerged as a key protective factor. Results underscore complex effects of pandemic experiences for children born during the pandemic, shaped by systemic stressors and relational supports.

PMID:41802121 | DOI:10.1093/chidev/aacaf041