Persistence of Lockdown Consequences on Children

A Cross-sectional Comparative Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15718825
AuthorsMarina Picca (SICuPP—Lombardia: Italian Primary Care Paediatrics Society—Lombardy, 20126 Milan, Italy), Paola Manzoni (SICuPP—Lombardia: Italian Primary Care Paediatrics Society—Lombardy, 20126 Milan, Italy), Antonio Corsello (0000-0003-4578-0066, University of Milan, corresponding author), P Ferri (0000-0002-8860-0937, University of Milano-Bicocca), C Bove (0000-0003-0937-8942, University of Milano-Bicocca), P Braga (0000-0003-3616-5758, University of Milano-Bicocca), Danila Mariani (SICuPP—Lombardia: Italian Primary Care Paediatrics Society—Lombardy, 20126 Milan, Italy), Roberto Marinello (SICuPP—Lombardia: Italian Primary Care Paediatrics Society—Lombardy, 20126 Milan, Italy), Angela Mezzopane (SICuPP—Lombardia: Italian Primary Care Paediatrics Society—Lombardy, 20126 Milan, Italy), Silvia Senaldi (SICuPP—Lombardia: Italian Primary Care Paediatrics Society—Lombardy, 20126 Milan, Italy), Marina Macchi (0000-0001-6766-3413, University of Milan), Marco Cugliari (University of Milan), Carlo Agostoni (0000-0002-5006-0832, University of Milan), Gregorio P Milani (0000-0003-3829-4254, University of Milan)
Year2022
Volume9
Issue12
Pages1927-1927
Publication date2022-12-08
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children9121927
PMID36553370
OpenAlexW4311970029
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited37

Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant psychological impact on children and adolescents. This study compared lockdown effects on children aged 1-10 years in 2020 and 2021. Two structured questionnaires were administered to 3392 parents in 2020, and 3203 in 2021. Outcomes considered for the data analysis included sleep changes, episodes of irritability, attention disturbances, distance learning and number of siblings. For data analysis, children were divided into two groups: pre-scholar (1-5 years old) and older ones. The lockdown was associated with a significant increase in sleep disturbances in 2020 and persisted after a year. The high prevalence of mood changes persisted unchanged in children under the age of 10 in 2020 and in 2021. Even if strengthened family ties seemed to mitigate the negative impact of lockdowns in 2020, this effect appeared absent or at least reduced in 2021. Irritability and rage in children were perceived to have increased in 2021 compared to 2020. A significant reduction in digital device use was observed in 2021 compared to 2020. Overall, the most harmful consequences of the lockdown in 2020 were still observed in 2021. Further studies are needed to analyze possible psychological effects that the generation who experienced the pandemic during early childhood may have, particularly in their future adolescence, in order to identify possible intervention practices to support families

Anxiety · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Cross-sectional study · Developmental psychology · Disease · Intervention (counseling · Irritability · Mood · Pandemic · Persistence (discontinuity · Psychiatry · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology

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