A comparative study of separation anxiety and sleep problems in school-aged children of health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect physical health as well as mental health in children and adolescents. In this study, we aimed to investigate the state, trait, separation anxiety, and sleep disturbances in the children of health professionals in the first and third waves of the pandemic. METHODS: 33 children of health professionals and 42 children whose parents were not health professionals were included in the study. Sociodemographic data form, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Separation Anxiety Assessment Scale-Child Version (SAAS- C), The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) were used for assessment each for the first and third waves of the pandemic. RESULTS: The state, trait anxiety, and SAAS-C scores of the children of health professionals were higher than the control group in the first wave of the pandemic, state anxiety and SAAS-C scores were still higher than controls in the third wave. Positive correlations were found between the STAI and SAAS- C scores with the working hours of mothers in the pandemic. State anxiety, and SAAS-C scores were higher in children of healthcare workers with a history of COVID-19. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: STAI and SAAS-C scores were found to be higher in the children of health professionals compared to the control group in the first and third wave of the pandemic. There was no effect being children of healthcare workers on SDSC scores. Anxiety levels were related to the time the mother worked during the pandemic and the parent's history of COVID-19.

Keywords

• covid-19
• health professionals
• children
• separation anxiety
• sleep