Experiencias de los adolescentes frente al confinamiento y la pandemia de la COVID-19

Experiences of adolescents in the face of lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had harmful effects on emotional health, especially in young people. In the present study, the questionnaire «Experiences of adolescents in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic» was designed and validated. Participants were 4,011 Mexican adolescents aged 14 to 25 years (M = 18.21); 33 % men and 67 % women. The questionnaire was administered online and, afterwards, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes were performed and Cronbach’s Alpha was calculated. Satisfactory levels of validity and reliability were obtained. The instrument consisted of eight factors: favorable family interaction, entertaining-creative activities, conflict experiences, unfavorable mood, longing for the previous life, fear of contagion, general sanitary measures and sanitary measures adopted when returning home. It is concluded that the questionnaire is valid and reliable and will be useful to find out how adolescents experience the changes caused by health crises. Keywords: Factor analysis; adolescence; experiences questionnaire; COVID-19 pandemic. Resumen: La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha generado efectos nocivos en la salud emocional especialmente en los jóvenes. En el presente trabajo se diseñó y validó el cuestionario «Experiencias de adolescentes frente a la pandemia de la COVID-19». Participaron 4011 adolescentes mexicanos de entre 14 y 25 años (M = 18.21), 33% hombres y 67% mujeres. El cuestionario se aplicó en línea, y, posteriormente, se realizaron los análisis factoriales (exploratorio y confirmatorio) y se calculó el alfa de Cronbach. Se consiguieron niveles satisfactorios de validez y confiabilidad. El instrumento quedó conformado por ocho factores: interacción familiar favorable, actividades de entretenimiento-creativas, vivencias de conflicto, ánimo desfavorable, añoranza por la vida anterior, miedo al contagio, medidas sanitarias generales y medidas sanitarias adoptadas al volver a casa. Se concluye que el instrumento es válido y confiable y será útil para conocer cómo los adolescentes viven los cambios ocasionados por las crisis sanitarias. Palabras clave: Análisis factorial; adolescencia; cuestionario de experiencias; pandemia de la COVID-19.