Psychological impact of ‘lockdown’ on behaviour of children during COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has disrupted the daily routine and required an adjustment to ʼnew normal’. The psychological impact of ‘lockdown’ as a social distancing strategy among children needs to be studied well. Aim: To assess the psychological impact of ‘lockdown’ on behaviour of children and adolescents. Methods: An online survey was conducted among parents of 3-15-year-old children by using Google Form. A 35-item self-designed questionnaire was used for the purpose of the study. Total 645 responses were received by the stipulated time. Results: The mean age of the children was 8.3 years (± 3.5). Majority of the children were male (51.6%), 1st born child (82.2%), and studying in primary school (44.8%). Near about onethird on the children became irritable (35.3%), hyperactive (33.3%), defiant/ disobedient (38%), anxious (29.9%), and crying often (32.7%) during the period of lockdown. Near about two-third of the children engaged more in mobile phones (63.4%) and watched television (58.1%) compared to their usual self during lockdown. Near about two-third (58.3%) and onethird (32.2%) of the children reported change in their sleeping and feeding habit respectively. Majority of the male (38.7%) and female (42.6%) children coped well with the lockdown. Conclusion: Index survey suggested that one-third of the children and adolescents were adversely affected due to lockdown.