Abstract
Background: There is limited evidence about emotional and behavioral responses in toddlers and preschoolers during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in Latin America.Objective: To assess associations between changes in movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time and sleeping) and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers during early stages of the pandemic in Chile.Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from March 30th to April 27th, 2020. Main caregivers of 1- to 5-year-old children living in Chile answered an online survey that included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, changes in the child's emotions and behaviors, movement behaviors and caregivers' stress during the pandemic. Multiple linear regressions were used to assess the association between different factors and emotional changes in toddlers and preschoolers.Results: In total, 1727 caregivers provided complete data on emotional changes for children aged 2.9 ± 1.36 years old, 47.9% girls. A large proportion of toddlers and preschoolers in Chile experienced emotional and behavioral changes. Most caregivers reported that children “were more affectionate” (78.9%), “more restless” (65.1%), and ‘more frustrated' (54.1%) compared with pre-pandemic times. Apart from changes in movement behaviors, factors such as child age, caregivers' age and stress, and residential area (urban/rural) were consistently associated with changes in emotions and behaviors.Conclusion: The pandemic substantially affected the emotions and behaviors of toddlers and preschoolers in Chile. The findings suggest that supportive actions for caregivers may have a positive impact not only on adults but also on children. Mental health promotion programs should consider multilevel approaches in which the promotion of movement behaviors and support for caregivers should be essential pieces for future responses.
Highlights
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, has affected millions of people worldwide [1]
This study aimed to evaluate the associations between changes in movement behaviors, caregivers’ stress, and sociodemographic factors with emotional and behavioral responses in toddlers and preschoolers during early stages of the pandemic in Chile
The current study presents the results derived from a second survey completed by caregivers who participated in a study which aimed to assess movement behavior changes during the pandemic
Summary
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, has affected millions of people worldwide [1]. A large proportion of adults faced financial struggles due to job losses or suspensions, while children and adolescents experienced changes in their education, limits on their social interactions, and less access to school-based social services beyond education, such as food and health care [3, 4]. These multiple challenges have likely had a negative impact on people’s physical health and on their psychosocial well-being [5]. There is limited evidence about emotional and behavioral responses in toddlers and preschoolers during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in Latin America
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