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Guedria A, Slama H, Fredj MB, Miladi S, Kefi HE, Gatti S, Oumaya A. Assessing parents' and children's psychological well-being and its associated factors during the COVID-19 lockdown in a Tunisian-North African population. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2280. [PMID: 37978377 PMCID: PMC10657148 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17206-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapidly emerging Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the world yielding in significant changes in almost every aspect of daily life. While primary research of the epidemic COVID-19 has focused on the psychological impact on the general population and health professionals, no survey of the pandemic-resulting containment on parents and their children has been yet addressed in the Tunisian-North African population. This study aimed to assess the psychological profile of parents and youth in Tunisia during a period of COVID 19 lockdown, and to identify associated factors to parental anxiety symptoms. METHODS This is an analytical cross-sectional study composed of a total of 538 adults including 464 mothers and 74 fathers. Parents of children aged less than 18 years completed an online survey (Google Forms) on the Psychological Impact of Confinement which includes the Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA), and the infantile trait-anxiety scale. The survey was initiated in May 2020 on a population of the Tunisian-North African citizens and lasted for more than 6 weeks. RESULTS The median GAD-7 score was 11 corresponding to a moderate anxiety with 27.8% reporting severe anxiety. The median PBA score was 31 corresponding to a moderate risk of burnout, with 19.5% being affected. The children's anxiety scores were associated with their parents' anxiety ratings with 24% of the children reported signs of moderate anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic affected parental and their children' psychological behavior due to a direct social isolation and distancing. Pediatricians need to be alerted on this issue and future measures are essential to avoid parental emotional burnout and anxiety disorder in similar situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Guedria
- University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hela Slama
- University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
- Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Manel Ben Fredj
- University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University, Hospital, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
- Department of Community Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Shayma Miladi
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hamdi El Kefi
- Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Syrine Gatti
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Abdelaziz Oumaya
- Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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Levante A, Martis C, Bianco F, Castelli I, Petrocchi S, Lecciso F. Internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic mixed studies review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1182309. [PMID: 37397311 PMCID: PMC10313408 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1182309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Given the vulnerability of children during the COVID-19 pandemic, paying close attention to their wellbeing at the time is warranted. The present protocol-based systematic mixed-studies review examines papers published during 2020-2022, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms and the determinants thereof. Method PROSPERO: CRD42022385284. Five databases were searched and the PRISMA diagram was applied. The inclusion criteria were: papers published in English in peer-reviewed journals; papers published between January 2020 and October 2022 involving children aged 5-13 years; qualitative, quantitative, and mixed studies. The standardized Mixed Method Appraisal Tool protocol was used to appraise the quality of the studies. Results Thirty-four studies involving 40,976 participants in total were analyzed. Their principal characteristics were tabulated. The results showed that children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms increased during the pandemic, largely as a result of disengagement from play activities and excessive use of the internet. Girls showed more internalizing symptoms and boys more externalizing symptoms. Distress was the strongest parental factor mediating children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms. The quality of the studies was appraised as low (n = 12), medium (n = 12), and high (n = 10). Conclusion Gender-based interventions should be designed for children and parents. The studies reviewed were cross-sectional, so long-term patterns and outcomes could not be predicted. Future researchers might consider a longitudinal approach to determine the long-term effects of the pandemic on children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022385284, identifier: CRD42022385284.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Levante
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
- Lab of Applied Psychology, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Chiara Martis
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Federica Bianco
- Department of Human and Social Science, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Castelli
- Department of Human and Social Science, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Serena Petrocchi
- Lab of Applied Psychology, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Flavia Lecciso
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
- Lab of Applied Psychology, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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Savela RM, Nykänen I, Välimäki T. Lack of freedom predicted poor self-reported health among family caregivers of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Nurs Open 2023. [PMID: 37036912 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM We aim to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported health and quality of life among family caregivers of children with disabilities across Europe. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS Data from the survey by the Eurocarers and IRCCS-INRCA were used. The data were collected between November 2020 and March 2021 from 16 European countries. Data analysis was done using regression analysis to identify family caregivers' self-reported health and well-being predictors. RESULTS This study included 289 caregivers. The mean age of children was 12 years. Their family caregiver's mean age was 44, and they were mainly women. Experience of lack of freedom predicted family caregivers' poor self-reported health and quality of life. Children's interrupted health and social services also predicted family caregivers' poor self-reported mental well-being. Longitudinal evidence on the pandemic's effects and a diverse view of family caregivers of children with disabilities are needed to plan effective post-pandemic health services and nursing practice. No Patient or Public Contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roosa-Maria Savela
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Irma Nykänen
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tarja Välimäki
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Pérez-Pérez L, Cárdaba-García I, Madrigal-Fernández MA, Montero-Cuadrado F, Sobas EM, Soto-Cámara R. COVID-19 Pandemic Control Measures and Their Impact on University Students and Family Members in a Central Region of Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4470. [PMID: 36901480 PMCID: PMC10001487 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic were times of great change in the lives of university students and their families in Spain. The aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial aspects and preventive measures carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic by students and family members of the nursing degree students of the University of Valladolid (Spain). The number of people surveyed was 877, by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. Relationships between variables were established by means of the Chi-square test and Student's t-test. In addition, multivariate logistic regression was generated. The significance level used was 0.05. Students and family members maintained preventive measures= such as hand washing, correct use of masks =in closed places, avoiding crowds and maintaining social distance, but at low rates (close to 20% in all cases). Regarding psychosocial aspects, 41.07% of the participants suffered from anxiety and loneliness, while 5.2% needed to take drugs to reduce anxiety or sleep and 66.07% were dependent on technology. Suicidal behavior is related to stress, anxiety, loneliness, poor family relationships, psychotropic drug use and technology abuse. The pandemic has caused life changes in university students and their families at the psychosocial level, generating high figures of suicidal ideation regardless of age. Preventive measures adopted to control the pandemic have not been followed for the most part.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Pérez-Pérez
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
- Health Service of Castilla y León (Sacyl), 47007 Valladolid, Spain
| | | | | | - Federico Montero-Cuadrado
- Health Service of Castilla y León (Sacyl), 47007 Valladolid, Spain
- East-Valladolid Primary Care Management (Sacyl), 47010 Valladolid, Spain
- Unit for Active Coping Strategies for Pain in Primary Care, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - E. M. Sobas
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
- Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raúl Soto-Cámara
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
- Emergency Medical Service of Castilla y León (Sacyl), 47007 Valladolid, Spain
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Stracke M, Heinzl M, Müller AD, Gilbert K, Thorup AAE, Paul JL, Christiansen H. Mental Health Is a Family Affair-Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Associations between Mental Health Problems in Parents and Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20054485. [PMID: 36901492 PMCID: PMC10001622 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
As a multidimensional and universal stressor, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the mental health of children, adolescents, and adults worldwide. In particular, families faced numerous restrictions and challenges. From the literature, it is well known that parental mental health problems and child mental health outcomes are associated. Hence, this review aims to summarize the current research on the associations of parental mental health symptoms and child mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a systematic literature search in Web of Science (all databases) and identified 431 records, of which 83 articles with data of over 80,000 families were included in 38 meta-analyses. A total of 25 meta-analyses resulted in significant small to medium associations between parental mental health symptoms and child mental health outcomes (r = 0.19 to 0.46, p < 0.05). The largest effects were observed for the associations of parenting stress and child mental health outcomes. A dysfunctional parent-child interaction has been identified as a key mechanism for the transmission of mental disorders. Thus, specific parenting interventions are needed to foster healthy parent-child interactions, to promote the mental health of families, and to reduce the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Stracke
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Miriam Heinzl
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Anne Dorothee Müller
- Research Unit, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristin Gilbert
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Anne Amalie Elgaard Thorup
- Research Unit, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jean Lillian Paul
- Mental Health Research Program, The Village, Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hanna Christiansen
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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Yates J, Mantler T. The Resilience of Caregivers and Children in the Context of COVID-19: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2023; 16:1-20. [PMID: 36778656 PMCID: PMC9902831 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-022-00514-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated caregivers and school-aged children to adapt to ongoing changes and uncertainty. Understanding why some caregivers and school-aged children area able to adapt and others are not could be attributed to resilience. The relationships between caregiver or child resilience and socioeconomic status (SES) in the context of COVID-19 remain largely un-explored. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative systematic review was to explore (1) what is currently known about the relationship between caregiver and child resilience in the context of COVID-19; and (2) the role of SES on caregiver or child resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Four databases (i.e., MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) were systematically searched, title/abstract and full-text screening were conducted, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria (i.e., discussed resilience of caregivers/children during COVID-19, mean age of children between 7-10, primary research/grey literature, English), including 15 peer-reviewed and two grey literature sources. Thematic analysis revealed five themes: (1) the mitigating effects of child resilience; (2) overcoming the psychological toll of the pandemic; (3) the unknown relationship: caregiver and child resilience; (4) family functioning during COVID-19; and (5) the perfect storm for socioeconomic impacts. Results from this review provide the first synthesis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the resilience of caregivers and school-aged children. Future research should conduct longitudinal data collection to understand the possible long-term impacts of the pandemic on these populations' resilience. Understanding these impacts will be integral to assisting families in bouncing back from the long-lasting adverse circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Yates
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Tara Mantler
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
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Renzi A, Conte G, Tambelli R. Somatic, Emotional and Behavioral Symptomatology in Children during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Children's and Parents' Alexithymia. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:2171. [PMID: 36360512 PMCID: PMC9691013 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10112171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the psychophysical wellbeing of children worldwide. Alexithymia, a personality trait involving difficulties in identifying and expressing feelings represents a vulnerability factor for stress-related disorders. Under pandemic stress exposure, we aimed to investigate the role of parents' and children's alexithymia in the psychophysical symptomatology shown by children and to evaluate possible differences according to age, gender and history of COVID-19 infections. The perception of parents and children about the impact of the pandemic on children's emotional, social and physiological wellbeing was also explored. Sixty-five familial triads were surveyed in the period from March to May 2022: children (n = 33 males; mean age = 9.53, sd = 1.55), mothers (mean age = 44.12; sd = 6.10) and fathers (mean age = 47.10; sd = 7.8). Both parental and children's alexithymia scores were significantly associated with somatic and externalizing symptomatology in children. Self-reported anger and externally oriented thinking scores were higher in younger children (age 8-9.9 years) than in older ones (10-12 years). Girls scored higher than boys in somatic complaints, as reported by parents. No difference emerged between children affected/not affected by COVID-19. Notably, children reported a greater negative impact of the pandemic on their emotional and psychosocial well-being than their parents. The findings emphasize the role of alexithymia in the occurrence of psychophysical symptoms in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduced parental awareness of the emotional burden imposed by the pandemic on children indicates the need to better consider how epidemics affect children's mental health and to develop adequate preventive strategies to support them in these exceptional times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Renzi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Institute of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Institute of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Watts R, Pattnaik J. Perspectives of Parents and Teachers on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children's Socio-Emotional Well-Being. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION JOURNAL 2022; 51:1-12. [PMID: 36285153 PMCID: PMC9584268 DOI: 10.1007/s10643-022-01405-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The negative impacts of COVID 19 on children's holistic development have been reported by researchers around the world. This qualitative study explored teachers' and parents' perspectives on the impact of physical/social distancing and school closure policies on children's socioemotional development. The study was conducted in fall 2020. The sample included four U.S. Preschools teachers (for 4-year-olds), four international preschool teachers (for 4, 5-year-olds), three U.S. Kindergarten teaches (for 5-year-olds), and 4 U.S. parents of 4 and 5-year-olds. Interviews were conducted over Zoom. Participants shared that the social deprivation experienced by children such as lack of friendships, absence of peer learning and peer communication, loss of play time, and lack of socialization impacted their children's socialization skills, higher order thinking development, mental health, and activity levels. Participants also shared that their children exhibited externalizing behaviors such as acting out, throwing tantrums, seeking negative attention, aggressiveness, lying, and showing disrespect. Participants reported children's life skills acquisition issues such as their over reliance on parents and difficulty in performing routine tasks. Participating teachers who taught 5-years-olds reported lower levels of fine motor skills among their students. The findings of the study suggest that although children have experienced severe academic learning loss during the pandemic, the post-pandemic ECE curriculum must keep a strong socio-emotional and practical life skills focus which contributes to children's overall well-being. Future studies may adopt a mixed method design in multi-country contexts to evaluate the impact of interventions implemented by early childhood programs on children's socioemotional health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jyotsna Pattnaik
- College of Education, California State University, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840 USA
- Long Beach, USA
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Toran M, Özden B. Are there any changes in mothers' attitudes? Analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on child-rearing attitudes. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2022; 134:106372. [PMID: 35035010 PMCID: PMC8752169 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims to examine the impact of the time spent by mothers at home with their children during the quarantine period that was implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the mothers' child-rearing attitudes, taking into consideration some variables and the experiences of mothers. The study was designed using embedded mixed design, in which qualitative and quantitative research methods were used together. The quantitative research group consisted of 673 mothers and the qualitative research group consisted of 16 mothers. The research data was gathered online using the Lime Survey platform, and the interviews with the mothers were also held online. Demographic information form, the Child Rearing Attitude Scale, and a semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. Moderator variable analysis was used for the quantitative research data and descriptive analysis was used for the qualitative research data in support of the quantitative data. The findings revealed that the mothers' child-rearing attitudes changed depending on the variables concerning the children; however, the quarantine period instituted due to COVID-19 had an impact on the mothers' child-rearing attitudes depending on the variables of age and number of children. The qualitative findings obtained from the interviews supported the quantitative findings. However, it was revealed that the mothers' attitudes towards their children underwent changes during the quarantine period under COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Toran
- Early Childhood Education Department, Istanbul Kültür University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bülent Özden
- Department of Elementary Education, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Amorós-Reche V, Belzunegui-Pastor À, Hurtado G, Espada JP. Emotional Problems in Spanish Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. CLÍNICA Y SALUD 2022. [DOI: 10.5093/clysa2022a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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