Social Policy Institute, Washington University in St. Louis.
Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Haifa.
Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2023;93(6):504-515. doi: 10.1037/ort0000696. Epub 2023 Aug 24.
Self-isolation and quarantine are common and effective measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, it may have detrimental implications on young children's adaptation and mental health. The present study explores the prevalence of home quarantines among young children in Israel and their associations with children's maladaptive behaviors. The analysis is based on self-reported data obtained by 374 parents of young children in November 2021. Participants completed questionnaires, assessing the prevalence of home quarantines among children (aged 3-11 years old), and maladaptive behaviors, including rage outbursts, physical violence against family or friends, and panic attacks. Multivariate regression models were used to determine the relationships between the number of child quarantines and their maladaptive behaviors. Our results suggest that 51% of parents reported having their child quarantined more than once, which did not differ across socioeconomic characteristics. Furthermore, 66% of parents reported that during the pandemic, their child exhibited maladaptive behaviors at least once. Children who were quarantined more than once were more likely to exhibit rage outbursts, physical violence, and/or panic attacks. The associations between children's quarantine and physical violence were slightly stronger among families living in high-density households. Repeated experiences of home quarantine may operate as exposure to accumulative risk and have a lasting effect on young children's development. Practice and policy recommendations for interventions for young children and their families who experience home quarantines are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
自我隔离和检疫是控制 COVID-19 传播的常见且有效的措施。然而，这可能对幼儿的适应和心理健康产生不利影响。本研究探讨了以色列幼儿家庭检疫的流行情况及其与儿童适应不良行为的关系。该分析基于 2021 年 11 月由 374 名幼儿家长提供的自我报告数据。参与者完成了评估儿童（3-11 岁）家庭检疫流行情况和适应不良行为（包括愤怒爆发、对家人或朋友的身体暴力和惊恐发作）的问卷。使用多元回归模型来确定儿童检疫次数与他们的适应不良行为之间的关系。我们的研究结果表明，51%的父母报告其子女被隔离不止一次，这在社会经济特征方面没有差异。此外，66%的父母报告称，在大流行期间，他们的孩子至少出现过一次适应不良行为。被隔离多次的儿童更有可能出现愤怒爆发、身体暴力和/或惊恐发作。在居住在高密度家庭的家庭中，儿童检疫与身体暴力之间的关联略强。反复经历家庭隔离可能会成为累积风险的暴露源，并对幼儿的发展产生持久影响。讨论了针对经历家庭隔离的幼儿及其家庭的干预措施的实践和政策建议。
