UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF HOME CONFINEMENT ON MENTAL HEALTH, SLEEP, AND BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background. Theoretical models of behavior change focus on psychological constructs, including intention and self-efficacy, but they do not consider the role of stressors. In this study, the impact of home confinement was explored as an external stressor on mental health, sleep, loneliness, tiredness, and behavior of children during the coronavirus disease of the 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Material and methods. Ten children aged 7-17 years who were restricted at home for at least one month during the COVID-19 outbreak were included. Semi-structured interviews with children were conducted to elicit their feelings, reflections, and responses to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The children expressed that they felt lonely and tired at home "sometimes" to "most of the time". Results. The children had no sleep status quality as before the COVID-19 outbreak, including difficulty in falling asleep, insomnia, and hypersomnia. Most children had depression and anxiety symptoms with different severities. The children were irritable, aggressive, or nervous at home. Only one child reported that she was more active and had positive changes compared with before. Most children experienced some degree of conflict with their parents or siblings. Conclusions. This study found that some children were affected by different kinds of emotional issues at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.