Unexpectedly Positive Effects of COVID-19 Experience on Children’s Functioning

The aim of the review is to identify studies describing the unexpected positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s development, mental health, and social and educational functioning. It complements an earlier publication on the negative effects. Although reports of difficulties dominate the literature, some studies point to possible beneficial aspects. Potential benefits include deeper family relationships, especially between children and parents, and more selective but qualitatively better peer relationships. Despite its problems, remote education has been evaluated positively due to the possibility of adapting the pace of learning to individual needs. In the area of health, an increase in preventive awareness and the development of e-medicine and e-therapy have been noted. The literature review was based on the APA PsycArticles, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using keywords such as: “COVID-19”, “child”, “adolescent”, “mental health”, “well-being”, “post-traumatic development”, “protective factors”. The pandemic was an extreme experience which, according to life cycle theory, can have both destructive and developmental effects. Positive effects were particularly evident in families that functioned well and where parents provided emotional support, revealing children’s ability to adapt and strengthen bonds.