In an article published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology with Children and Adolescents, the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of children in Turkey is analyzed. The pandemic and the closure of schools posed significant challenges for the younger population, increasing the risk of school exclusion.
The study compared children’s daily habits and their emotional and behavioral symptoms during the first national lockdown in 2020 with the period before. Children spent more time in front of screens and less time engaging in physical activities, and a high percentage felt bored.
Approximately half of the children showed signs of nervousness, anger, anxiety, worry, and other symptoms. Children of caregivers facing family difficulties and stress in the parental role experienced more emotional and behavioral difficulties during the lockdown.
The safety and mental health of caregivers also influenced the well-being of children. The results highlight the negative impact of the lockdown on the socioemotional well-being of children.
Full article here.