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Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
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Children's Attention and Self-Regulatory Behavior Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Radhika S Raghunathan1, Rashelle J Musci2, Kristin M Voegtline1,3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|October 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted family life and routines.
  • Understanding the impact on children's development is crucial for targeted support.
  • Self-regulation (SR) is a key developmental skill impacting learning and social interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate changes in children's self-regulatory behavior before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To examine the relationship between parenting stress, family disruptions, and child SR during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study design involving parents of children aged 4-13 years.
  • Utilized Parent Observation of Child Adaptation, Coronavirus Impact Scale, and Parenting Stress Index.
  • Repeated measures analysis of variance compared prepandemic and pandemic SR.

Main Results:

  • Significant decreases in child SR observed, including poorer concentration, attention, task engagement, and increased impulsivity.
  • Parenting stress correlated with lower child SR.
  • Pandemic-related family disruptions were associated with increased impulsivity, particularly in children experiencing multiple disruptions.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with modest decreases in children's self-regulation, particularly attention and impulse control.
  • Children from families disproportionately affected by the pandemic may require focused support to mitigate potential widening disparities.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing family well-being to support child development during crises.
Abstract

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