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The Effect of an After-School Physical Activity Program on Children’s Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nova Scotia

Author

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  • Hilary A. T. Caldwell

    (School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
    Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 3E2, Canada)

  • Matthew B. Miller

    (School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
    School of Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada)

  • Constance Tweedie

    (School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • Jeffery B. L. Zahavich

    (School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • Ella Cockett

    (School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

  • Laurene Rehman

    (School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada)

Abstract

Children’s physical activity participation declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these negative changes could lead to longer-term impacts on children’s cognitive, social, and emotional health. Purpose: To determine parent/caregivers’ perceptions of their children’s cognitive function, peer and family relationships, life satisfaction, physical activity, sleep, positive affect, and global health, before and after participating in the Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) programming at after-school programs in Fall 2020. Methods: Parents of children participating in the BOKS programming at after-school programs in Nova Scotia, Canada, were recruited. At baseline, 159 parents completed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures Information System (PROMIS) parent-proxy questionnaire, and 75 parents completed the measures at follow-up. Independent t-tests were used to determine if there were differences between baseline and follow-up Parent Proxy Questionnaire data. Results: All NIH PROMIS outcome variables at baseline and follow-up were within normal limits (Adjusted T-Scores: 46.67 ± 7.15 to 50.04 ± 7.13). There were no significant differences in life satisfaction (t(188) = −1.05, p = 0.30), family relationships (t(189) = 0.31, p = 0.76), cognitive function (t(199) = −1.16, p = 0.25), peer relationships (t(192) = −1.86, p = 0.06), positive affect (t(195) = 0.25, p = 0.81), global health (t(216) = −0.43, p = 0.67), physical activity (t(202) = 0.787, p = 0.732), sleep disturbance (t(193) = 1.72, p = 0.087), or psychological stress (t(196) = 1.896, p = 0.059), from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions: Parent-proxy questionnaires suggested that the BOKS programming had a protective effect on children’s health behaviours and cognitive, social, and emotional health as values remained within normal limits and were not impacted by the public health restrictions during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nova Scotia.

Suggested Citation

  • Hilary A. T. Caldwell & Matthew B. Miller & Constance Tweedie & Jeffery B. L. Zahavich & Ella Cockett & Laurene Rehman, 2022. "The Effect of an After-School Physical Activity Program on Children’s Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nova Scotia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-8, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2401-:d:753345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher B. Forrest & Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer & Janine Devine & Brandon D. Becker & Rachel E. Teneralli & JeanHee Moon & Adam C. Carle & Carole A. Tucker & Katherine B. Bevans, 2018. "Development and Evaluation of the PROMIS® Pediatric Positive Affect Item Bank, Child-Report and Parent-Proxy Editions," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 699-718, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. de Oliveira Major, Sofia & Cristina Palos, Ana & Silva, Osvaldo, 2023. "Attending (or not) after-school programs during the COVID-19 pandemic: What happens to children’s social skills and behavior problems?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Hilary A. T. Caldwell & Matthew B. Miller & Constance Tweedie & Jeffery B. L. Zahavich & Ella Cockett & Laurene Rehman, 2022. "The Impact of an After-School Physical Activity Program on Children’s Physical Activity and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, May.

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    1. Hilary A. T. Caldwell & Matthew B. Miller & Constance Tweedie & Jeffery B. L. Zahavich & Ella Cockett & Laurene Rehman, 2022. "The Impact of an After-School Physical Activity Program on Children’s Physical Activity and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, May.

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