ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic generated uncertainty and disruption among the child and adolescent population. Multiple studies have documented a worsening of mental health following the pandemic. The main objective of this longitudinal study is to analyze the short-, medium-, and long-term evolution of the overall functioning of children and adolescents treated by a child and adolescent mental health team in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: 420 patients aged 3 to 18 were assessed using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale at three time points: during the lockdown, three months later, and three years later. Differences based on gender, diagnosis, and time were analyzed. RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed in the short-term (three months) and long-term (three years) compared to the lockdown period. This improvement was maintained in all diagnostic subgroups except for mixed cases (severe mental pathology), which showed the least improvement. No significant differences were found between males and females. CONCLUSIONS: The child and adolescent population showed a greater capacity for adaptation to the lockdown than expected. Family support, decreased stress, and therapeutic intervention appear to have played an important role in improving mental health.
ABSTRACT
Los inventarios del desarrollo comunicativo MacArthur constituyen un instrumento válido y fiable para la evaluación del desarrollo comunicativo y lingüístico de los niños pequeños. Este artículo proporciona datos que provienen de la adaptación de las escalas MacArthur al gallego y su aplicación a una muestra de 722 niños gallegoparlantes entre 8 y 30 meses de edad. Se proporcionan las puntuaciones medias y desviaciones típicas para las diferentes partes de la escala. También se lleva a cabo un análisis de los resultados obtenidos y un análisis preliminar del tipo de vocabulario empleado en diferentes puntos del desarrollo. Finalmente, se proporcionan datos sobre la fiabilidad de las escalas (AU)
The MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories are a valid and reliable instrument for assessing young childrens communicative and linguistic development. The present paper offers data coming from the adaptation of the MacArthur scales to Galician and their application to a sample of 722 Galician-speaking children between 8 and 30 months of age. Means and standard deviations scores for the different parts of the scale are offered. An analysis of the results obtained is carried out. An initial analysis is offered of the type of vocabulary used at different points in development. Finally data on reliability of the scales are given (AU)