Mental well-being during Covid-19 in adults, mothers and children: behavioral evidence and neural premarkers

We describe data on an extensively characterized group of children and adults (N=69, 41♀, age range=7-51y, including 26 children and mothers) with a total of ~2’500 tests conducted prior to and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate significant effects of Covid-19-related restrictions on mental well-being and psychosocial functioning in children and adults, with changes associated with duration or easing of restrictions. Well-being in mother-child dyads was strongly correlated. For children, time spent outside and friends met were a significant predictor of mood. Additionally, neural correlates of mentalizing in prefrontal regions, assessed prior to Covid-19, preceded later development of fear of illnesses and viruses for all participants, while, among mothers, temporoparietal activation preceded higher perceived burden of care during restrictions.