School of Social Welfare, Bukkyo University, Kyoto, Japan
Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
BMJ Paediatr Open. 2022 Mar;6(1). doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001310.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable children and youth. In Japan, despite evidence that the paediatric age group holds a lower risk of infection than the older population, there was a nationwide closure of schools as an early public health measure. Acknowledging that school closures brought heightened psychological and physical stress among Japanese children, we aimed to explore vulnerable children's experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, focusing on socially disadvantaged subset of the population.
We used an adapted version of the 'Perceived Stress Scale for Children', with additional free-text space, delivered online to children attending three non-profit organisations which provide support for this group of vulnerable persons and families experiencing social disadvantage. Simple descriptive analysis was undertaken on the quantitative data; we used thematic and content analysis for the qualitative data.
Thirty-six children participated in the online survey, mean age was 11.3 years, majority (61%) were male. The mean overall stress score (score distribution width: 0-39) was 14.8, with no difference in score distribution by age or gender. Free-text responses obtained revealed a range of stressors and protective factors. Schooling, COVID-19 fears, family tension and pandemic measures were sources of stress; family-in particular, the support of the mother-food, friendship and recreation were sources of comfort. While most responses indicated positive coping mechanisms, some displayed maladaptive behaviours.
The children in this cohort had high mean stress scores overall. Responses indicated that they were acutely reactive to COVID-19 as well as pandemic public health measures, and that missing schooling and contact with friends exacerbated their stress. Family was a source of strength as well as stress. A tailored public health response to COVID-19 needs to take into account the concerns voiced by vulnerable child populations be based on equity and child rights.
COVID-19 大流行对弱势儿童和青少年造成了不成比例的影响。在日本，尽管有证据表明儿科年龄组的感染风险低于老年人群，但作为早期公共卫生措施，全国范围内关闭了学校。鉴于学校关闭给日本儿童带来了更高的心理和身体压力，我们旨在探讨 COVID-19 大流行期间弱势儿童在日本的经历，重点关注社会弱势人群中的这一群体。
我们使用了经过改编的“儿童感知压力量表”，并在网上提供了更多的自由文本空间，供参加三个非营利组织的儿童使用，这些组织为弱势群体和面临社会劣势的家庭提供支持。我们对定量数据进行了简单描述性分析；我们对定性数据使用了主题和内容分析。
36 名儿童参加了在线调查，平均年龄为 11.3 岁，大多数（61%）是男性。总压力得分（得分分布范围：0-39）的平均值为 14.8，年龄或性别对得分分布没有差异。从自由文本回复中发现了一系列压力源和保护因素。学校教育、对 COVID-19 的恐惧、家庭紧张和大流行措施是压力源；家庭——尤其是母亲——提供食物、友谊和娱乐是舒适的来源。虽然大多数回复表明存在积极的应对机制，但也有一些显示出适应不良的行为。
该队列中的儿童总体压力得分较高。回复表明，他们对 COVID-19 以及大流行公共卫生措施反应强烈，错过学校教育和与朋友接触加剧了他们的压力。家庭既是压力源，也是力量的源泉。针对 COVID-19 的公共卫生应对措施需要考虑到弱势儿童群体的关切，这些措施应该基于公平和儿童权利。
