A survey of the psychological status of primary school students who were quarantined at home during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in Hangzhou China

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the presence of social anxiety and depression and the risk factors for them among primary school students who were quarantined at home during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Hangzhou China. MethodsA total of 1620 students who were quarantined at home for at least one month were recruited from two primary schools in Hangzhou. Students completed a questionnaire on a mobile App with help from their guardians; the measures included demographic and general information, the Social Anxiety Scale for Children (SASC), and the Depression Self-rating Scalefor Children (DSRSC). ResultsThe mean SASC score of the participants was 3.90 {+/-} 3.73, which was higher than the mean norm score of Chinese urban children (3.48 {+/-} 3.47) (P < 0.01). The mean DSRSC score of the participants (5.67 {+/-} 4.97) was much lower than the mean norm score of Chinese urban children (9.84 {+/-} 4.73) (P < 0.05). A total of 279 (17.2%) students had social anxiety, with a mean score of 10.41 {+/-} 2.59, and 102 (6.3%) students had depression, with a mean score of 18.96 {+/-} 3.89. The following variables were found to be significant risk factors for social anxiety during home quarantine deterioration of the parent-child relationship, increased conflicts with parents, irregular work and rest, and worrying more about being infected. Deterioration of the parent-child relationship, less physical activity, irregular work and rest, and negative mood during home quarantine were significant risk factors for depression. ConclusionPrimary school students who were quarantined at home during the COVID-19 epidemic were more likely to have social anxiety but less likely to have depressive symptoms. Poor parent-child relationships, irregularity of work and rest, and epidemic-related problems were the main reasons for psychological problems. Families, schools, and social organizations need to pay more attention to the psychological status of primary school students quarantined at home.