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Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
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Persistence of Lockdown Consequences on Children: A Cross-sectional Comparative Study

Marina Picca1, Paola Manzoni1, Antonio Corsello2

  • 1SICuPP-Lombardia: Italian Primary Care Paediatrics Society-Lombardy, 20126 Milan, Italy.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 lockdown negatively impacted children's sleep and mood, with effects persisting into 2021. While family ties initially helped, their protective effect diminished over time, highlighting the long-term psychological consequences for children.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Pandemic Mental Health
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread lockdowns, significantly impacting children's psychological well-being.
  • Understanding the longitudinal effects of these lockdowns on child development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the psychological effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on children aged 1-10 years between 2020 and 2021.
  • To assess changes in sleep, mood, irritability, attention, and digital device use.

Main Methods:

  • Two cross-sectional surveys administered to parents of children aged 1-10 years in 2020 (n=3392) and 2021 (n=3203).
  • Data collected on sleep changes, irritability, attention disturbances, distance learning, and number of siblings.
  • Children categorized into pre-scholar (1-5 years) and older groups for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Lockdown was associated with increased sleep disturbances in 2020, persisting into 2021.
  • High prevalence of mood changes remained consistent in 2020 and 2021.
  • Increased irritability and rage observed in 2021 compared to 2020; reduced digital device use in 2021.
  • Mitigating effect of strengthened family ties observed in 2020 diminished by 2021.

Conclusions:

  • Negative psychological impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on children persisted one year later.
  • Long-term psychological effects on children who experienced early-life pandemic exposure require further investigation.
  • Identification of intervention practices to support families is essential.

Keywords:
COVID-19 pediatricsSARS-CoV-2 childrendistance learninglockdown impactsleep disturbances toddlers

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