Professors from the Miguel Hernández University and the Università degli Studi di Perugia have coordinated a study on the alterations in children’s behavior during the quarantine. 1,143 families of Spanish and Italian minors between 3 and 18 years old have participated in this research by completing an online form on the emotional state of their children. The study concludes that 86% of the families observed changes in the emotional state and behavior of their children during the quarantine.
The data collected showed that Spanish children were more affected than Italian children, showing greater behavioral problems, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, family arguments, physical complaints, and concerns about their relatives. The habits of the children have also changed, as after confinement there is higher exposure to screens and greater sedentariness. These differences may be due to confinement regulations in both countries, which in Italy are less restrictive.
Studies on the psychological consequences of quarantine for COVID-19 in minors are scarce, therefore, further research is needed on how this situation affects the emotional well-being of the child population. The full study is available at https://psyarxiv.com/5bpfz/