COVID-19 and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents: A bibliometric review

Introduction: publications on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health have increased considerably, but a quantitative assessment of the scientific output has yet to be made. Objective: To analyze the published scientific production on COVID-19 and suicide in children and adolescents.

Material and methods: web of Science and the Bibliometrix package were used for the bibliometric analysis.

Results: we found 268 publications from 92 countries. The United States, Canada, England and China contributed 69% of the total production. Mohammed A. Mamun is the author with the highest number of publications and citations. Among the top ten most productive authors are researchers Colette Degrandi, Rakhi Gupta, Fiona McNicholas, Jennifer Davis Runkle, Margaret Sugg, and Jaclyn Weiser. The journal Frontiers in Psychiatry recorded the highest number of published articles, and the journal Frontiers in Psychology the highest number of citations. Psychiatry, medicine, and psychology were the most productive areas of research. The most relevant results of the most cited articles worldwide are presented.

Conclusions: despite the fact that suicidal behavior has received remarkable attention during the pandemic, most of the scientific production is focused only on some countries and their populations, so the consolidation of an international collaborative networks is required in relation to the study, prevention and intervention of the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents.