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Children’s Anxiety and Factors Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study Using the Children’s Anxiety Questionnaire and the Numerical Rating Scale

Author

Listed:
  • Marla Andréia Garcia de Avila

    (Department of Nursing, Botucatu Medical School–UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil)

  • Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho

    (Department of Neurology, Botucatu Medical School–UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil)

  • Francine Letícia da Silva Jacob

    (Department of Nursing, Botucatu Medical School–UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil)

  • Léia Regina Souza Alcantara

    (Department of Nursing, Botucatu Medical School–UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil)

  • Malin Berghammer

    (Institute of Health Sciences, University West, 461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden
    The Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, 416 50 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Margaretha Jenholt Nolbris

    (The Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, 416 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
    Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Patricia Olaya-Contreras

    (Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Stefan Nilsson

    (Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s lives deserve attention. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety among Brazilian children and its associated factors during social distancing during COVID-19. We used a cross-sectional design with an online survey from April to May 2020 in Brazil. We included children aged 6–12 years and their guardians. The Children’s Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ; scores 4–12) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; scores 0–10) were used to measure anxiety. We enrolled 157 girls and 132 boys, with a mean age of 8.84 (±2.05) years; 88.9% of respondents were mothers. Based on CAQ ≥ 9, the prevalence of anxiety was 19.4% (n = 56), and higher among children with parents with essential jobs and those who were social distancing without parents. In logistic regression, the following variables were associated with higher CAQ scores: social distancing without parents; more persons living together in home; and education level of guardians. Based on NRS > 7, the prevalence of anxiety was 21.8% (n = 63); however, no associations with NRS scores were found with the investigated variables. These findings suggest the necessity of implementing public health actions targeting these parents and their children at the population level.

Suggested Citation

  • Marla Andréia Garcia de Avila & Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho & Francine Letícia da Silva Jacob & Léia Regina Souza Alcantara & Malin Berghammer & Margaretha Jenholt Nolbris & Patricia Olaya-Contreras & , 2020. "Children’s Anxiety and Factors Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study Using the Children’s Anxiety Questionnaire and the Numerical Rating Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5757-:d:396612
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yao Zhang & Haoyu Zhang & Xindong Ma & Qian Di, 2020. "Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemics and the Mitigation Effects of Exercise: A Longitudinal Study of College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Julio Torales & Marcelo O’Higgins & João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia & Antonio Ventriglio, 2020. "The outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on global mental health," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(4), pages 317-320, June.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Hang T. M. Nguyen & Hoang V. Nguyen & Btissame Zouini & Meftaha Senhaji & Kourosh Bador & Zsuzsa Szombathyne Meszaros & Dejan Stevanovic & Nóra Kerekes, 2022. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and Adolescents’ Psychological Distress: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Małgorzata Bronikowska & Jana Krzysztoszek & Marlena Łopatka & Mateusz Ludwiczak & Beata Pluta, 2021. "Comparison of Physical Activity Levels in Youths before and during a Pandemic Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Burak, Durmus, 2023. "Psychometric properties of pandemic awareness scale for students aged 8–12: The case of COVID-19," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).

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