For the Greater Good

Isolating Young Children From Their Own Mothers During Covid-19. Was It a Good Idea? An Empirical Study

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21559211
AutoresLuca Cerniglia (0000-0002-6115-288X, International Telematic university Uninettuno, Rome), Silvia Cimino (0000-0003-4813-0093, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome)
Ano2023
Volume42
Fascículo2
Páginas145-159
Data de publicação2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social and Clinical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0736-7236 • E-ISSN: 1943-2771
EditoraGuilford Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1521/jscp.2023.42.2.145
OpenAlexW4363673421
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas31

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments enacted strict measures to stop the spread of the virus. Among these was the recommendation that children with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be isolated in a room at home. Methods: Through a longitudinal study with three waves and using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Child Behavior Checklist 1,5-5, and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, we intended to verify whether young children and their mothers showed psychopathological symptoms and distress as a result of quarantine separation. Results: Our results showed that mothers’ symptoms significantly increased from Time 1 to Time 2 and remained stable at Time 3, except for the anxious and depressive symptoms, which increased also at Time 3. Similarly, children’s problems significantly increased from Time 1 to Time 2 and remained stable and high at Time 3. Discussion: This descriptive study may help policy makers to consider the negative outcomes of quarantine separation for children’s and mothers’ psychological well-being in case of future pandemics

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Checklist · Developmental psychology · Disease · Distress · Longitudinal study · Pandemic · Psychopathology · Quarantine · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology