Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of children worldwide. In Jordan, limited research has explored how school-aged children experienced the pandemic’s psychological effects or the coping strategies they adopted.

Objectives: This study assessed the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jordanian school-aged children and examined the coping mechanisms they employed.

Methods A correlational, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 200 Jordanian children aged 6 to 12 years, who were recruited via Facebook, WhatsApp, and school networks. Data were collected using a structured Arabic-language questionnaire, completed jointly by children and their parents. The instrument measured demographic characteristics, COVID-19 knowledge, psychosocial impact, and coping strategies. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were performed.

Results: High levels of psychosocial distress were observed, with anxiety (54%), mood disturbances (52%), and sleep problems (56%) being most common. Behavioral issues were reported by 53.5%, and cognitive disturbances by 67%. Coping strategies included task-oriented (60%), emotional (68%), and avoidance coping (76.5). Anxiety was strongly correlated with mood disturbances (r =0.77, p <0.001), and sleep problems with behavioral issues (r =0.71, p <0.001). Avoidance coping was negatively correlated with behavioral problems (r =-0.20, p =0.01).

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the psychological well-being of Jordanian school-aged children, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive interventions to promote adaptive coping.

Implications for Nursing: Nurses in school, community, and primary healthcare settings play a key part in early identification of psychological distress and delivery of family-centered interventions during public health crises.