Effects of home isolation during COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of preschool children in Shanghai

MA Chenhuan; JIANG Lian; CHU Liting; PAN Lizhu; ZHU Peiying; WANG Yu

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2022-0559

PDF(526 KB)

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2023, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (3) : 327-331. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2022-0559

Clinical Research

Effects of home isolation during COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of preschool children in Shanghai

MA Chenhuan, JIANG Lian, CHU Liting, PAN Lizhu, ZHU Peiying, WANG Yu

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Objective To analyze the characteristics and changes of emotional and behavioral problems of preschool children in Shanghai during the home isolation of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic, so as to provide basis for psychological education and psychological and behavioral interventions for preschool children. Method From April 24th to 28th, 2022, a total of 2 124 children aged 3 to 6 years were selected from 17 kindergartens in Jing'an and Yangpu districts of Shanghai. The parents of children completed the Chinese version of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results The detection rates of emotional and behavioral problems in children aged 3 to 6 years in Shanghai ranged from 3.34% to 24.81%, and the detection rate of conduct problem(12.81%) and peer problem(24.81%) increased obviously. The detection rate of peer problems and prosocial behavior of boys were higher than girls (χ²=12.577, 9.793, P<0.01). The detection rate of prosocial behavior in 3-year-old children group was higher than other age groups (χ²=11.473, P<0.05). Compared with the Shanghai norm, boys aged 4 years and girls aged 4 to 6 years had lower emotional symptoms score; boys aged 5 to 6 years and girls aged 4 to 6 years had higher conduct problems score; children aged 6 years had lower hyperactivity score; boys aged 4 to 5 years had higher peer problems score; girls aged 4 years had higher total difficulties score, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Compared with SH2019, boys aged 4 to 5 years and girls aged 4 to 6 years had lower emotional symptoms score; children aged 4 and 6 years had higher conduct problems score; girls aged 4 years had higher hyperactivity score and children aged 5 years had lower score; children aged 4 to 6 years had higher peer problems score; children aged 5 years had higher prosocial behavior score; children aged 4 years had higher total difficulties score, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions During the home isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, the detection rates of emotional and behavioral problems are increasing for preschool children in Shanghai, especially for conduct problems and peer problems. Boys and younger children have higher detection rates of emotional and behavioral problems, who should be differentiated and focused when providing relevant psycho-health education and implementing psycho-behavioral interventions in the future.

Key words

prevention and control of COVID-19 / home isolation / preschool children / emotional and behavioral problems

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

MA Chenhuan, JIANG Lian, CHU Liting, PAN Lizhu, ZHU Peiying, WANG Yu. Effects of home isolation during COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of preschool children in Shanghai[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2023, 31(3): 327-331 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2022-0559

References

[1] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. COVID-19 impact on education[EB/OL]. (2020-04-29)[2022-04-29]. https://en.unesco. org/covid19/education response.
[2] 魏华, 李廷玉. 新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情对不同人群心理的影响及心理干预的建议[J]. 儿科药学杂志, 2020, 26(4): 6-7.
Wei H, Li T. Impact of epidemic of corona virus disease 2019 on different populations and suggestions for psychologicalintervention[J]. Journal of Pediatric Pharmacy, 2020, 26(4): 6-7.
[3] Wang G, Zhang Y, Zhao J, et al. Mitigate the effects of home confinement on children during the COVID-19 outbreak[J]. Lancet, 2020, 395(10228):945-947.
[4] 杜亚松, 寇建华, 夏黎明. 儿童长处和困难问卷上海常模的制订[C]. 第四届泛亚太地区心理卫生学术研讨会论文摘要集, 2005: 182.
Du Y, Kou J, Xia L. Formulation of children strengths and difficulties questionnaire for Shanghai norm[C]. Abstracts of the Fourth Pan-Asia Pacific Conference on Mental Health (PAPCMH), 2005: 182.
[5] 寇建华, 杜亚松, 夏黎明. 儿童长处和困难问卷(父母版)上海常模的信度和效度[J]. 上海精神医学, 2005, 17(1): 25-28.
Kou J, Du Y, Xia L. Reliability and validity of childrenStrengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parents version) in Shanghai norm[J]. Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry, 2005, 17(1): 25-28.
[6] 邓延峰, 季建林, 范建红, 等. 上海市23325名学龄前儿童行为、情绪问题调查分析[J]. 中国社区医师, 2019, 35 (11): 159-160, 163.
Deng Y,Ji J, Fan J, et al. The study on behavioral and emotional problems of 23325 preschool children in Shanghai[J]. Chinese Community Doctors, 2019, 35(11): 159-160, 163.
[7] 张伶俐, 胡小平, 万孝先, 等. 学龄前儿童心理行为问题与家长健康素养的关系[J]. 中国儿童保健杂志, 2020, 28(5): 579-582.
Zhang L, Hu X, Wan X, et al. Relationship between psychological behavior problems and parental health literacy in preschool children[J].Chin J Child Health Care, 2020, 28(5): 579-582.
[8] 崔洁, 王燕玲. 北京市某区4所幼儿园3～6岁儿童心理与行为问题现况调查[J]. 中国妇幼卫生杂志, 2017, 8(4): 14-18.
Cui J, Wang Y. Investigation on mental and behavior problems among 3-6 years old children in 4 kindergartens in Beijing[J]. Chinese Journal of Women and Children Health, 2017, 8(4): 14-18.
[9] 王雪娜, 杜雯雯, 张萌, 等. 新型冠状病毒肺炎期间学龄前儿童屏幕暴露与心理健康[J]. 中国健康心理学杂志, 2021, 29(04): 564-568.
Wang X, Du W, Zhang M, et al. Investigation on screen time and psychosocial problems of preschoolers during the prevalence of COVID-19[J]. China Journal of Health Psychology, 2021, 29(4): 564-568.
[10] 钟浩, 汤海燕, 邓玲超, 等. 新冠疫情居家隔离下幼儿行为问题与家庭因素关系研究[J]. 中国社会医学杂志, 2021, 38(3): 263-267.
Zhong H, Tang H, Deng L, et al. Behavioral problems and its association with family factors of young children in home quarantine during the COVID-19 Pandemic[J]. Chinese Journal of Social Medicine, 2021, 38(3): 263-267.
[11] 王佩瑶, 李文, 胡亚滨, 等. 学龄前儿童居家隔离期间睡眠问题及影响因素分析[J]. 中国儿童保健杂志, 2021, 29(5): 479-483.
Wang P, Li W, Hu Y, et al. Investigation on sleep problems and related factors in preschool children during homequarantine[J]. Chin J Child Health Care, 2021, 29(5): 479-483.
[12] 国家卫生健康委员会. 《新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情紧急心理危机干预指导原则》, 应对新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情联防联控工作机制[Z]. 2020.
National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Guidelines for emergency psychological crisis intervention in COVID-19 pandemic, Working mechanism for joint prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic[Z]. 2020.
[13] 国家卫生健康委员会. 应对新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情社区服务心理支持技巧50问[M]. 北京: 北京大学医学出版社, 2020.
National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. 50 questions and answers about community service psychological support skills against COVID-19[M]. Beijing: Peking University Medical Press, 2020.
[14] Ford T, Goodman R, Meltzer H. The British child and adolescent mental health survey 1999:The prevalence of DSM-Ⅳ disorders[J]. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2003,42(10):1203-1011.
[15] Zhang X. Barriers and benefits of primary caregivers' involvement in children's education during COVID-19 school closures[J].Int J Disaster Risk Reduct, 2021, 66:102570.
[16] Orben A, Tomova L, Blakemore SJ. The effects of social deprivation on adolescent development and mental health[J]. Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 2020, 4(8):634-640.
[17] 梁静, 王朝晖, 李燕晖, 等. 新型冠状病毒肺炎流行期间学龄前儿童心理健康状况调查及影响因素分析[J]. 中国儿童保健杂志, 2020, 28(9): 1033-1036, 1059.
Liang J, Wang Z, Li Y, et al. Investigation on the mental health of preschool children and the relevant factors during coronavirus disease 2019[J]. Chin J Child Health Care, 2020, 28(9): 1033-1036, 1059.
[18] Dollberg DG, Hanetz-Gamliel K, Levy S. COVID-19, child's behavior problems, and mother's anxiety and mentalization:A mediated moderation model[J]. Curr Psychol, 2021:1-12. doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02476-y
[19] Frigerio A, Nettuno F, Nazzari S. Maternal mood moderates the trajectory of emotional and behavioural problems from pre- to during the COVID-19 lockdown in preschool children[J]. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2022:1-11. doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01925-0.
[20] Glynn LM, Davis EP,Luby JL, et al. A predictable home environment may protect child mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic[J]. Neurobiol Stress, 2021, 14:100291.