Perception of Changing Habits among Italian Children and Adolescents during Covid-19 Quarantine

An Epidemiological Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15716981
AuthorsGiulia Bassi (0000-0002-7239-3021, University of Padua, corresponding author), Elisa Mancinelli (0000-0003-2089-3507, University of Padua), Bianca Boldrini (University of Padua), Giada Mondini (The Italian Sexology Center (Centro Italiano di Sessuologia, CIS), 40138 Bologna, Italy), Emilia Ferruzza (University of Padua), Daniela Di Riso (0000-0002-3759-0441, University of Padua), Silvia Salcuni (0000-0002-1798-5761, University of Padua)
Year2022
Volume9
Issue6
Pages806-806
Publication date2022-05-30
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children9060806
PMID35740743
OpenAlexW4281663338
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited18

We used an epidemiological study to explore the perception of change in several psychosocial dimensions during the COVID-19 quarantine. We focused on emotions, use of social network sites (SNSs), family life, important relationships, body functions, and school life. Using snowball recruitment, N = 1047 Italian children, pre-adolescents, and adolescents (M = 13.74 ± 3.59) were selected to complete ad hoc online questionnaires. A differential semantic inventory plot was prepared to analyze the emotional experience of children, pre-adolescents, and adolescents during quarantine compared to the pre-quarantine period. The Kruskal-Wallis test was run to assess gender and age differences in emotions experienced, habitual SNS use, and the experience of attending classes remotely. A post hoc Wilcoxon test was performed to compare such differences. Results showed that most of the sample (93.1%) attended classes using technological devices and reported missing their classmates very much (59.3%). Adolescents experienced more negative emotions (M = 3.69 ± 1.33) than pre-adolescents (M = 4.64 ± 1.32), who experienced negative emotions more than children (M = 5.11 ± 1.24). Females were more prone to experience negative emotions compared to males. Adolescents were also the most prolific SNS users (78.1%), particularly female adolescents. Overall, these finding highlight the necessity of preserving the emotional state and relational well-being of youth in these developmental phases by considering their school and social lives

Developmental psychology · Perception · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Snowball sampling · Test (biology · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology

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