Psychological effects associated with preventive isolation by COVID-19 in early childhood in Colombia

ABSTRACT

Background: There are enough documented records worldwide to date on the number ofinfections and deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is foreseeable that there will be a worsening of psychological health in the entire population, however, there are few studies that have addressed the emotional and psychological effects that preventive isolation has caused in Colombia in early childhood so the objective of this study was to know these effects through a survey carried out with caregivers of children in Colombia from different social strata. M ethod Cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study that included 1 006 surveys conducted in the last quarter of 2020. Results: The study mainly showed three psychological dimensions that impacted early childhood in Colombia during social isolation due to COVID-19 changes in an emotional state, behavior problems, and results of difficulties associated with sleep. Conclusions: Our results shed light on the specific groups with a higher risk of emotional and psychological difficulties due to a state of preventive confinement. These results suggest the strengthening of affective relationships at home and psychosocial support by qualified personnel for the good integral development of early childhood. © 2022 Academia Nacional de Medicina. All rights reserved.