Parents and school-aged children’s mental well-being after prolonged school closures and confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico: a cross-sectional online survey study

Sep 2, 2022BMJ paediatrics open

Mental well-being of parents and school-aged children after long COVID-19 school closures and lockdowns in Mexico

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Abstract

The prevalence of anxiety, stress, and parental depression symptoms among 209 surveyed parents was 35.9%, 28.2%, and 25.4%, respectively.

Children's was observed in 12% of cases, while 59.8% experienced .
10.5% of children exhibited both psychosocial dysfunction and sleep disturbance symptoms.
A bidirectional relationship was found between parents' and children's mental health outcomes.
Parental depression symptoms were linked to factors such as COVID-19 infection in the household and children's pre-existing medical conditions.
Children's sleep disturbances correlated with parental anxiety, younger age, and increased screen time.

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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine parents' and school-aged children's mental well-being after experiencing confinement and prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN: Using a cross-sectional design, an online survey was applied to parents of school-aged children inquiring about their mental well-being and COVID-19 pandemic changes in their home and working lives. To assess the presence of depression, anxiety and stress in parents, the participants responded to the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 scale. To assess and in children, participants responded to the Pediatric Symptom Checklist and the Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire.

RESULTS: A total of 209 parents answered the questionnaire, most of them were female (87.1%) with a mean age of 40 years. The prevalence of anxiety, stress and parental depression symptoms were 35.9%, 28.2% and 25.4%, respectively. Children's mean age was 8.9 years, the prevalence of children's psychosocial dysfunction was 12%, while their sleep disturbance symptoms were 59.8%. 10.5% of children were suffering both outcomes. We found a bidirectional relationship between parents' and children's mental health outcomes. Parental depression symptoms were associated with experiencing COVID-19 infection within the household, having children with pre-existing medical diagnoses, children's psychosocial dysfunction and sleep disturbances. Children's psychosocial dysfunction was associated with parental depression and changes in their school routine. Children's sleep disturbances were associated with parental anxiety, younger age, increased use of electronic devices, night-time awakenings and shorter sleep time.

CONCLUSION: Our results support the impact of long confinement and school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexican children and parents' mental well-being. We advocate for specific mental health interventions tailored to respond to parents and children at risk of mental well-being distress.

Key numbers

35.9%

Anxiety Symptoms Prevalence

Percentage of parents reporting anxiety symptoms.

59.8%

Children with

Percentage of children experiencing .

12%

Children with

Percentage of children showing .

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Parents and school-aged children’s mental well-being after prolonged school closures and confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico: a cross-sectional online survey study

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