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The experience of social distancing for families with children and adolescents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Uruguay: Difficulties and opportunities

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  • Ares, Gastón
  • Bove, Isabel
  • Vidal, Leticia
  • Brunet, Gerónimo
  • Fuletti, Darío
  • Arroyo, Álvaro
  • Blanc, María Victoria

Abstract

The social distancing measures implemented to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide have created a series of emotional and economic challenges. The aim of the present work was to explore the experiences of families with children and adolescents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Uruguay. An online study was conducted in March 2020 with 1725 parents with children under 18 years old. A series of closed and open-ended questions about their family life since the implementation of social distancing measures were asked, addressing the following topics: how they had felt, changes they had experienced in their daily life, children's daily routine, changes implemented in relation to child-care, changes they had perceived in children's eating patterns, changes in their relationship with their children, changes in their children's mood and behavior, and their reaction to those changes. Results showed that the coronavirus pandemic elicited negative feelings in the majority of participants, mainly related to worry, fear, anxiety and uncertainty. Social distancing measures caused a major disruption in daily habits, which were mostly attributed to changes in work-related activities and the closure of educational institutions. Changes in children's mood and behavior were perceived by the majority of the participants, who mainly referred to boredom, agitation and restlessness. Although some participants reported difficulties to cope with children's behavior during social distancing, others valued the opportunity of spending more time with their children. In terms of children's eating patterns, changes related to both an increase and a decrease in the consumption of healthy foods were observed. Results from the present work have relevant implications for public health policy and practice by highlighting the importance of providing emotional and psychological support to people during social distancing measures and providing insights for the design of communication campaigns and interventions.

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  • Ares, Gastón & Bove, Isabel & Vidal, Leticia & Brunet, Gerónimo & Fuletti, Darío & Arroyo, Álvaro & Blanc, María Victoria, 2021. "The experience of social distancing for families with children and adolescents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Uruguay: Difficulties and opportunities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:121:y:2021:i:c:s0190740920323288
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105906
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ran, Liuyi & Wang, Wo & Ai, Ming & Kong, Yiting & Chen, Jianmei & Kuang, Li, 2020. "Psychological resilience, depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms in response to COVID-19: A study of the general population in China at the peak of its epidemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    2. Kimhi, Shaul & Marciano, Hadas & Eshel, Yohanan & Adini, Bruria, 2020. "Resilience and demographic characteristics predicting distress during the COVID-19 crisis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
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    2. Alves, Stephanie & Ribeiro, Catarina Gomes & Pastor, Isabel & Henriques, Margarida Rangel, 2023. "Integrating a child into an adoptive family in times of COVID-19: Lessons learned from adopters’ and professionals’ views," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Gijung Jung & Ji Sun Ha & Mihyeon Seong & Ji Hyeun Song, 2023. "The Effects of Depression and Fear in Dual-Income Parents on Work-Family Conflict During the COVID-19 Pandemic," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, February.
    4. Dimitra Panagiotopoulou & Kalliroi Papadopoulou, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Quarantine on Young Children’s Family-Based Daily Activities in Greece," Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(2), pages 1-56, November.
    5. Laila Skogstad & Inger Schou-Bredal & Tore Bonsaksen & Trond Heir & Øivind Ekeberg & Tine Grimholt, 2021. "Concerns Related to the COVID-19 in Adult Norwegians during the First Outbreak in 2020: A Qualitative Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    6. Orit Shapiro & Riki Tesler & Sharon Barak & Lilach Ben-Meir & Ariela Giladi & Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot & Gizell Green & Moti Zwilling & Avi Zigdon & Yossi Harel-Fisch, 2022. "A Biopsychosocial Approach to Examining Alcohol Consumption among Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.

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