Anxiety, depression and online classes in Mexican children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, Children, Primary Education, Covid-19

Abstract

Throughout the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, the international research has documented various effects on the mental health of the general population. However, few studies have focused on studying the situation of children and adolescents. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the level of anxiety and depression of a sample of children from Mexico City, during the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020. Additionally, the impact of online classes and lockdown caused by the health emergency was analyzed. A total of 52 children, 6 to 12 years old, who were in primary education (50% were women) participated. Parents' permission was obtained for children's participation. Data collection was done through an online form, which included standardized psychometric questionnaires to assess the level of anxiety and depression of the children; as well as a series of questions where parents reported their children's school situation and sociodemographic data. The results indicated that 33% of the children were at a clinically significant level for depression. At the same time, 31% of the children showed clinically significant levels of anxiety. Children from private schools and who fulfilled their full class schedule were the ones who showed the greatest affectation in this regard. The need to generate intervention programs to serve this population is highlighted.

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Author Biographies

Zuleyma Samantha Angeles-Barrera, Universidad Justo Sierra
La Lic. Zuleyma Angeles, es egresada de la licenciatura en psicología en la Universidad Justo Sierra y terapeuta independiente bajo el enfoque Cognitivo Conductual. En la actualidad se encuentra estudiando la maestría en psicología Clínica con enfoque en Terapia Cognitivo Conductual, ha realizado investigaciones sobre uso excesivo de redes sociales y el impacto que tiene en la sociedad.
Juan Carlos Mazón-Sánchez, Universidad Justo Sierra
Licenciado, Maestro y Doctor en Psicología por la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Es especialista en temas de Psicología Infantil, Psicoterapia de Juego, Parentalidad, Convivencia Escolar y Familia. Se desempeña como docente de la Licenciatura en Psicología y Pedagogía, así como de las Maestrías en Psicología Clínica y Psicopedagogía, de la Universidad Justo Sierra desde hace diez años. En la actualidad es Profesor de Carrera de Tiempo Completo de la misma Universidad. Colaboró durante dos años con el programa “Escuelas sin violencia” de la Secretaría de Educación del Distrito Federal. En 2013 obtuvo el tercer lugar en el Premio Nacional Silvia Macotela, en la Categoría de Tesis de Maestría. Es miembro del Sistema Nacional de Investigadores en la categoría de Candidato a Investigador Nacional, en el periodo de 2021 a 2024. Es editor de la Revista Científica Eurytmie Psicología Social de la Salud. Actualmente trabaja en proyectos orientados a descubrir el impacto de Internet sobre nuestras vidas, así como las repercusiones de la Epidemia del Virus SarsCov2, en la salud mental de la población

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Published
2022-12-19
How to Cite
Angeles-Barrera, Z. S., & Mazón-Sánchez, J. C. (2022). Anxiety, depression and online classes in Mexican children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Revista Digital Internacional De Psicología Y Ciencia Social, 8(2), e822022471. https://doi.org/10.22402/j.rdipycs.unam.e.8.2.2022.471