A Piece of Mind – A Child’s Perspective of COVID-19 Lockdowns
Anay Ashwin
Haileybury College, Melbourne, Australia
Publication date: October 14, 2024
Haileybury College, Melbourne, Australia
Publication date: October 14, 2024
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on the well-being of school-aged children. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among school-aged children in Australia, India, and the USA. The survey assessed physical health, social relationships, and psychological health, including sleep, exercise, and screen time. Secondary outcomes compared screen time (<10 vs. ≥10 hours) and lockdown duration (<12 vs. ≥12 weeks). Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were used to analyze the survey data, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Of the 59 respondents (mean age 12 years, 54.2% female), 86% exercised up to 2 hours daily, and >70% spent at least 5 hours on online learning. Emotionally, 38% felt bored, 14.4% felt sad or angry. Most felt supported, were happy to return to school, but 76% felt shy. Longer screen time did not affect sleep, and no significant differences in well-being were noted based on lockdown duration or screen time. COVID-19 lockdowns did not significantly impact children’s overall physical health, psychological health and social relationships.
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on the well-being of school-aged children. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among school-aged children in Australia, India, and the USA. The survey assessed physical health, social relationships, and psychological health, including sleep, exercise, and screen time. Secondary outcomes compared screen time (<10 vs. ≥10 hours) and lockdown duration (<12 vs. ≥12 weeks). Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were used to analyze the survey data, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Of the 59 respondents (mean age 12 years, 54.2% female), 86% exercised up to 2 hours daily, and >70% spent at least 5 hours on online learning. Emotionally, 38% felt bored, 14.4% felt sad or angry. Most felt supported, were happy to return to school, but 76% felt shy. Longer screen time did not affect sleep, and no significant differences in well-being were noted based on lockdown duration or screen time. COVID-19 lockdowns did not significantly impact children’s overall physical health, psychological health and social relationships.
