Abstract
Objective: To identify risk and protective factors for mental health symptoms associated with lifestyle changes caused by home confinement in pediatric subjects and in children and adolescents with a neuropsychiatric disorder.Study design: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study conducted from May 10 to May 31, 2020. Two online anonymous surveys were developed: population-based and clinical-based (children with neuropsychiatric disorders). Outcomes included emotional and behavioral symptoms, as assessed by psychometric scales (BPSC, PPSC, PSC, CES-DC and SCARED, respectively), and lifestyle changes during home confinement (i.e., physical activity, screen time, home schooling, reading).Results: The sample included 9,688 pediatric subjects, and 289 children and adolescents with a neuropsychiatric disorder. The presence of siblings was a protective factor in all ages. In pre- and school children: male sex, a diagnosis of autism, residency in highly affected areas, high parental educational level or job loss, and screen time (>2 h/day) were risk factors. Physical activity, home-schooling, reading, talking with other people were protective factors. Residency in highly affected areas, a diagnosis of mood disorder, parental job loss, and screen time, were associated with a worsening of the depressive symptoms, whereas physical activity, talking with other people, playing with parents were protective activities. Screen time was also a risk factor for anxiety symptoms, while physical activity, reading and talking with other people were protective factors.Conclusions: This study identified risk and protective factors for mental health symptoms associated with lifestyle changes caused by COVID-19 home confinement to promote mental well-being in pediatrics during pandemic times.
Highlights
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most national governments have temporarily imposed severe disease containment measures to prevent the spread of the infection
This study aimed to address the lifestyle changes and psychological effects caused by home confinement in the Italian pediatric population, and in children and adolescents with a neuropsychiatric disorder
Since the enforced social isolation has generated remarkable lifestyle changes in all, several protective and risk factors were identified for mental health symptoms
Summary
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most national governments have temporarily imposed severe disease containment measures to prevent the spread of the infection. In Italy, one of the earlier and most affected European countries, a rigid home confinement was enforced from March 9, 2020 to May 4, 2020 [1]. This measure led to implementation of home working, closures of schools, and prohibition of leaving houses for unnecessary activities. Evidence suggests that when children are out of school, they have substantial lifestyle changes such as less physical activity, longer screen time, irregular sleep patterns, and less favorable diets [3, 4] During home confinement, such negative changes can worsen, considering the prohibition of outdoor activities and the lack of peer interaction.
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