Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
The Queen Silivia Children's Hospital Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden.
Scand J Public Health. 2022 Aug;50(6):693-702. doi: 10.1177/14034948221108250. Epub 2022 Jul 7.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden was one of the few countries that rejected lockdowns in favour of recommendations for restrictions, including careful hand hygiene and social distancing. Preschools and primary schools remained open. Several studies have shown negative impacts of the pandemic on children, particularly high levels of anxiety. The study aim was to explore how Swedish school-aged children aged 6-14 years, experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceived anxiety.
In total, 774 children aged 6-14 years and their guardians answered an online questionnaire containing 24 questions, along with two instruments measuring anxiety: the Children's Anxiety Questionnaire and the Numerical Rating Scale. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used for analysing the quantitative and qualitative data. Each data source was first analysed separately, followed by a merged interpretative analysis.
The results showed generally low levels of anxiety, with no significant sex differences. Children who refrained from normal social activities or group activities (=377) had significantly higher levels of anxiety. Most of the children were able to appreciate the bright side of life, despite the social distancing and refraining from activities, which prevented them from meeting and hugging their loved ones.
在 COVID-19 大流行期间,瑞典是少数几个拒绝封锁、转而建议采取限制措施的国家之一,包括仔细的手部卫生和保持社交距离。幼儿园和小学保持开放。多项研究表明,大流行对儿童产生了负面影响,特别是焦虑水平较高。本研究旨在探讨瑞典 6-14 岁学龄儿童如何体验 COVID-19 大流行及其感知到的焦虑。
共有 774 名 6-14 岁的儿童及其监护人回答了一份在线问卷,其中包含 24 个问题,以及两个衡量焦虑的工具:儿童焦虑问卷和数字评分量表。使用收敛平行混合方法设计来分析定量和定性数据。首先分别分析每个数据源,然后进行合并解释性分析。
结果显示,焦虑水平普遍较低,无显著性别差异。避免正常社交活动或团体活动的儿童(=377)焦虑水平显著较高。尽管社交距离和避免活动使他们无法与亲人见面和拥抱,但大多数孩子仍能欣赏生活中的美好。