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

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 and Stefan Nilsson
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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
Margaretha Jenholt Nolbris: The Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, 416 50 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

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-13

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.

Keywords: anxiety; children; Covid-19; pandemic; social isolation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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