AFFECTIVE CHANGES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: BEFORE AND DURING PREVENTIVE LOCKDOWN BY COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: To analyze affective changes in children and adolescents between 8 and 16 years of age, before and during COVID-19 lockdown. Materials and Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study with repeated evoked measurement. Under non-probabilistic sampling, 87 voluntary school children and adolescents were surveyed online using the positive/negative affect questionnaire for children, with the addition of sociodemographic questions. Descriptive/associative analysis was performed to determine the behavior of child and adolescent affectivity before and after lockdown. Results: A significant decrease in positive affect during lockdown was observed (Z =-3.073; p=.002), as well as a significant increase in the probability that the previous affective state, positive (OR: 32.1: 95% CI 8.1 - 127.2) or negative (OR: 10.8: 95% CI 3.9 - 29.4), would increase the deterioration of present affectivity. Finally, there were no significant changes in negative affectivity before and during lockdown. Conclusions: During lockdown, a deterioration in the perception of emotional well-being associated with a decrease in positive affect was observed, with previous affectivity being a risk factor for the deterioration of well-being perceived by children and adolescents. It is necessary to strengthen the coping capacity of children so that positive affect becomes a protective factor in the face of new catastrophes.