Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
Design and Validation of a Scale for Measuring Well-Being of Children in Lockdown (WCL)
Naiara Berasategi1, Nahia Idoiaga2, Maria Dosil3
1Department of Didactics and School Organisation, University of the Basque Country - UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain.
Insights
This study developed and validated the "Well-being of Children in Lockdown" (WCL) survey. The WCL is a reliable tool for assessing children's holistic well-being during pandemic-related confinement.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
- Instrument Development
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread lockdowns, confining children and disrupting their education and social lives.
- Evaluating children's well-being holistically during these unprecedented circumstances is crucial for their mental and developmental health.
- Existing measures may not adequately capture the unique challenges faced by children in lockdown environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create and validate a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the well-being of children aged 4-12 years during lockdown.
- To provide a tool for parents and researchers to assess children's holistic well-being in challenging confinement situations.
- To address the need for a specific measure evaluating emotions, activities, education, routines, and physical health during periods of social distancing.
Main Methods:
- Development of the "Well-being of Children in Lockdown" (WCL) survey.
- Parental completion of the WCL by 1,046 children (48.7% boys, 50.7% girls) in the Basque Country, Northern Spain.
- Exploratory factor analyses and reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha = 0.804) to establish instrument validity.
Main Results:
- The WCL survey comprises six subscales: Emotions, Playful and creative activities, Education, Addictions, Routine, and Physical Activity.
- Exploratory factor analyses confirmed acceptable reliability indices across all subscales.
- The survey demonstrated adequate overall reliability, confirming its validity for the target age group and context.
Conclusions:
- The "Well-being of Children in Lockdown" (WCL) survey is a valid and reliable instrument.
- The WCL provides a simple yet comprehensive tool for assessing children's well-being during lockdown situations.
- This instrument can be utilized by parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to monitor and support children's welfare during periods of confinement.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to create and validate an instrument to measure the well-being of children in lockdown. As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the interest of maintaining social distancing, millions of people have been confined to their homes, including children, who have been withdrawn from school and barely able to leave their homes. Thus, it would be useful to evaluate, from a holistic perspective, the well-being of children under these challenging circumstances. The participants were 1,046 children, 48.7% of which were boys and 50.7% girls, recruited in the Basque Country (Northern Spain). The scale was answered by their parents. The survey, entitled "Well-being of Children in Lockdown" (WCL), is composed of six subscales: Emotions, Playful and creative activities, Education, Addictions, Routine, and Physical Activity. Exploratory factor analyses indicate that all the reliability indices were acceptable. The survey demonstrated adequate reliability (alpha = 0.804). We were thus able to confirm the validity of this simple instrument for evaluating the well-being of children aged between 4 and 12 years in lockdown situations. The WCL can be regarded as a useful tool to evaluate the well-being of children in lockdown situations.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Traits, Mood, and Subjective Wellbeing
Neuroticism and...
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...